Fun times with Shrek and co
LAST week was beyond hectic with all the public holidays, and this meant no rest for your Skinnerbek. I started my gossip duties at the midweek opening of Give us this Day, a play banned under the apartheid regime and staged at St Stephen’s Church in New Brighton.
Struggle stalwarts came in their numbers, among them former mayor Nceba Faku.
Businessman Khusta Jack and Opera House GM Monde Ngonyama were there too, Monde with girlfriend, Nobesuthu Rayi.
Mark Headbush looked stylish in his designer jeans.
Andile Mbeki did go on and on a bit, I must admit. The play was amazing though and had many shedding tears of both sorrow and laughter.
On Thursday, I headed for Cubana at the beachfront for a white-themed party with Gauteng-based DJ Fistaz Mixwell, joined by MVP DJ Ayas. The set-up was beautiful, with white couches from which to savour one of the city’s most unbeatable views – I felt like I was on an exotic island somewhere.
Event organiser Purari decided on a black outfit – maybe he wanted to stand out in the crowd.
Mkhuseli Qoba certainly did look good in white pants and a black-and-white jacket. There were a few people who did not get the memo and came in blue jeans and other hues. Party poopers!
I had to dash off because there was yet another all-white party at KwaNgqoko in New Brighton.
It was an eye-opener seeing people going all Kenny Kunene-like by scoffing sushi placed on scantily-clad models.
A highlight for your Skinnerbek this week was catching Alexander Road High School’s production of Shrek: The Musical at the Savoy Theatre on Wednesday night.
Those kids are super talented – and I don’t just mean the ones on stage but also the ones in the orchestra pit!
Skinner had a blast . . . and would so love to get her mitts on a onesie just like Donkey’s. Just think how cosy it could be on a cold winter’s night!
As for those pretty ears with pink satin lining, a pair of those could bring a dose of fun to anyone’s day.
The dragon lady, too, had a hot-pink outfit that could easily spark a fashion trend, if freak chic is your thing.
Alex and Shrek’s director, Greg Everard, can be justifiably proud . . . I confess I’m not big on musicals but this smashing show left me floating in a happy bubble.
Speaking of celebrating, let’s say a huge happy birthday to The Herald . . . South Africa’s oldest existing newspaper, which turned 170 years “young” yesterday.
Newspaper vendors dressed in vintage finery and staff gathered in the newsroom over snacks and champers to mark the milestone, following an earlier bash at the Boardwalk in March.
There have been some incredible stories covered over the years and it brought a tear to Skinnerbek’s eye to think back to some of these and the characters who make the newsroom the dynamic environment that it is.
It’s not always easy – we make friends and enemies along the way but then, we wouldn’t be doing a good job if we were loved by all.