FAREWELL WINTER
This weekend is winter’s last ahead of Spring Day on Thursday. Finding a spring in their step in Mitchell Park gardens, from left, are: Kirsten Sayers, Ndondo Mabaso and Miles Mthembu.
Sayers is clarinet player with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra whose Spring Season will be held every Thursday in the Durban City Hall until October 13. The orchestra will also be performing at this year’s Hilton Arts Festival from September 16-18.
Mabaso is a first year Durban University of Technology student performing in its Children’s Theatre Festival at Courtyard Theatre from September 8-11.
Mthembu will perform in his tenth Shall We Dance at Playhouse Opera from September 9-17.
THE SIXTH DUT Children’s Theatre Festival takes a slightly different approach this year. It showcases original productions written and work-shopped by drama staff and first-year students and introduces the Professional Fringe with invited theatre-ineducation specialists.
DUT Drama has traditionally staged a festival with younger audiences in mind – honouring South African stories, with a heritage theme and educational context. It was founded by Professor Debbie Lutge. Main Festival
Friendly Lessons Directed and written by LeeAnn Naicker and students
The little animals are preparing for their school concert, during which time they bully elephant. However, after elephant uses his trunk to rescue two of his classmates who fell down a well, the bullies apologise and elephant becomes a hero. Pre-school and grades 0-2
Siza’s Tale Directed and written by LeeAnn Naicker and students
When Siza, a loyal servant of 10 years, makes a small mistake, the king sentences him to the lions’ den. The servant’s last request is 10 more days to spend with his family. During these days, the servant feeds the lions regularly, so when he is thrown into the den, they do not harm him. Grades 5-7
Looking for a Leader Based on an African story in which an elderly wise chief from a small village in KwaZulu-Natal is worried about finding the most moral person to follow in his footsteps as an honourable leader of his community. He calls on the youngsters to compete in a seed-growing competition. The chief conceals some important information to find the right man among many wrong ones. Grades 2-5 Fringe Festival
2-4-1 Double the Fun Join popular actress, magician and clown Adi Paxton in a celebratory interactive double bill. The programme comprises an exciting puppet story, Pet’s Tale, in which the children help Petric find his home. Cherry the clown makes magic. Age: 3 and up. 50 minutes
Sunshine Babies This is a non-verbal production that follows the exuberance of a day packed with fun activities in Durban’s sub-tropical outdoors. Expect to be enchanted by innocent shenanigans, playful object animation and sweet surprises. Devised and directed by Gisele Turner and performed by deaf actor Sibo Masondo, and Mlu Ngidi. Ages 2 and up. 50 minutes
Drip Drop Drip Creative Madness A modern fable about a small idyllic, rural village and the price villagers and the environment pay for being sucked into the bottled water industry. With this interactive, whimsical and thought provoking fairy tale, using rod, Sicilian, glove and shadow puppets, Peter Court asks the questions, “What cost bottled water?” and what can we do to stem the flow of wasted water, unnecessary pollution and excess rubbish? How can we move forward into a life of sustainability and live in harmony with our planet?
Written, devised and performed by Court. Ages 10 and up. 50 minutes Festival infomation: Performances take place at DUT City Campus and the Courtyard Theatre from September 8-11. R50 (adults) R30 children. Block booking for 10 or more, R20 each.
Bookings: Call Lebohang at 031 373 2194. After hours: Pamela at 082 403 1707.