Some wonderful theatre set for Fugard
THE Fugard Bioscope July and August line up is:
July 2: The Globe Theatre’s Richard II
Ruling by divine right, but himself ruled by caprice, King Richard exiles Henry Bolingbroke and seizes his father’s vast estates. While Richard is distracted by a rebellion in Ireland, Bolingbroke returns to England, intent on recovering his rightful property and, with the support of his disgruntled peers, perhaps seizing the crown itself.
Dazzlingly eloquent and ceremonious, Richard II invests a weak and self-dramatising man with tragic status and represents Shakespeare’s most searching exploration of the meaning of kingship and the rising powers that can destroy it. Directed by: Simon Godwin and featuring Charles Edwards in the title role.
July 9: The Salzburg Opera Festival’s production of Cavalleria Rusticana
Described by Salzburger Nachricten as “Opera as Great Romantic Cinema”, the two oneact operas, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci brought record attendances to the Salzburg Easter Festival. No wonder, for Jonas Kaufmann, in his debut performances as both Turiddu and Canio, was “stellar” (Daily Telegraph) and sang “both parts so lyrically, with such italianità, mellow with impeccable highs... a pure delight” (Kurier). Equally impressive are Thielemann – “the uber-conductor” (Telegraph).
August 6: The Globe Theatre’s production of The Merchant of Venice
In some of his most highly-charged scenes, Shakespeare dramatises the competing claims of tolerance and intolerance, religious law and civil society, justice and mercy; while in the character of Shylock he created one of the most memorable outsiders in all theatre. Double Olivier and Tony award winner Jonathan Pryce plays Shylock in his first appearance at Shakespeare’s Globe, directed by Jonathan Munby
Portia, a wealthy heiress of Belmont, is forced to set her suitors a challenge. The winner will win her hand in marriage; the losers will lose her hand and much more. In Venice, the epicentre of consumption, speculation and debt, Bassanio borrows money from his friend Antonio to finance his attempt. Antonio, in turn, takes out a loan from the moneylender Shylock. The loan will be repaid when Antonio’s ships return to the city. But if the ships fail to return, and the money cannot be repaid, Antonio will give to Shylock a pound of his own flesh.
The Royal Opera House’s production of Otello
World-famous tenor Jonas Kaufmann makes his role debut as Otello in Verdi’s passionate retelling of Shakespeare’s great tragedy of jealousy, deception and murder. Soprano Maria Agresta will be his Desdemona and baritone Ludovic Tezier his nemesis Iago in a new production by Olivier Award-winning director Keith Warner.
A major work of the opera repertory, Verdi’s Otello draws on the full forces of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, the Royal Opera Chorus and this stellar line-up of principal singers, with exquisite duets, emotionally potent solo numbers and thrilling choruses. Particular highlights include Otello and Desdemona`s rapturous love duet and Desdemona`s poignant Willow Song.
Screenings take place at The Fugard Bioscope at 11am. Tickets cost R100 and can be booked through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. Bookings can also be made at the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554.
The Fugard foyer bar is open from 10am, serving a range of delicious light snacks as well as the finest coffee, wine and drinks.
Nadia Davids’ much-anticipated new play, What Remains, is on from July 6-12, at Hiddingh Hall, Orange Street, Cape Town, following its run at the National Arts Festival.There are still two performances of the play on at the festival, today and tomorrow. The season in Cape Town is short one and bookings are advisable. Direction and choreography is by Jay Pather.The work is performed by Denise Newman, Faniswa Yisa, Shaun Oelf and Buhle Ngaba. In What Remains, Davids examines our personal and political landscape and how to deal with what remains. Age restriction: 10 years and above. Tickets R120 via www.webtickets. co.za age.
to the show on July 7 by e-mailing christinems@telkomsa.net by 6pm today. Subject line ToTT.
A big shout-out to the legendary anti-apartheid activist Mary Burton, who last week was announced patron of the Black Sash. Burton who dedicated over 50 years of her life to political activism joined the organisation in 1965 and held important positions such as national president (1986-90). Celebrate Burton’s appointment on July 12 at Artscape at The Whitney Houston tribute show – The Greatest Love of All.The Sash will be holding a gala evening.Tickets R320 (prime seats).Tickets include wine on arrival and entries into a raffle with great prizes donated by visual artists. Bookings only online via www.blacksash. org.za.
is a signed copy and a collector’s item.To enter, e-mail jocelyn@blacksash.org.za by 6pm Sunday. Subject line ToTT.
The film, Sister Act, with Whoopi Goldberg was a tonic to watch so it with great excitement that we are about to be treated to the stage version by the Waterfront Theatre Company at the Artscape Arena from July 12 to 15. Only five performances, The cast is headed by Fleur du Cap award-winning Jenna Galloway and she will be joined by an ensemble from the Waterfront Theatre school.Tickets R150 via www.computicket.com or call 0861 915 8000, Artscape 021 421 7695. Three readers can each win double tickets. Email bernfried17@gmail.com by 6pm on Sunday. Subject line:ToTT
One entry each, please.You may be disqualified for sending in multiple entries. Twitter @theCapeRobyn