Durban to celebrate Charles III’s coronation
DURBAN is hosting events to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III with a live screening of the ceremony in London at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo on Saturday, May 6, from 9am; a Celebratory Service at St Cyprian’s Church in Umbilo on May 7 at 9am and a Coronation Celebration Concert featuring the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra at DLI Hall on May 21 at 2pm.
King Charles will become the sovereign head of the Commonwealth of Nations, of which South Africa is a member. The ceremony will see him crowned alongside Queen Consort Camilla in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
It will be the first coronation of a British monarch in the 21st century and the 40th to be held at Westminster Abbey since 1066.
The British Cultural and Heritage Association will present a Coronation Celebration Concert at the DLI Hall in Greyville on May 21 at 2pm, featuring the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, the Durban Symphonic Choir and special guests under the baton of Russell Scott.
The programme will feature some rousing traditional British musical classics, such as Handel’s Music from the Royal Fireworks, Hallelujah Chorus, The King Shall Rejoice and Zadock the Priest; Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance and Vaughan-Williams’s English Folk Song Suite interspersed with some iconic British and more contemporary favourites, such as numbers from the musicals and the Beatles. Seating is unreserved, there will be a cash bar and tickets are R180 through Quicket. No tickets at door.
The DLI Hall was chosen as a venue because of its historical connection to the British royal family. In 1935, King George V bestowed the title of “Royal” on the DLI, which was thereafter known as the Royal Durban Light Infantry. In 1947, the young Princess Elizabeth, when she was in South Africa for her 21st birthday, was made the Regiment’s colonel-in-chief. For the next 14 years, the regiment enjoyed the highest of royal patronage.
Over the coronation weekend, the event itself on May 6, will be streamed live on the big screen at the Rhumbelow Theatre Umbilo from the build-up at about 9am to the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Snacks will be on sale and there is a cash bar. Entry is free, however, donations are welcome. Booking via 082 499 8636 or by emailing roland@stansell.co.za
On May 7, at St Cyprian’s Church, 603 Umbilo Road, there will be a Celebratory
Service at 9am. The music will be led by St Cyprian’s director of music AJ Bethke on the organ and trumpeter Russell Scott. The Durban Chamber Choir will lead the hymns.
After the service there will be a picnic/bring-and-braai in the church grounds,with a pipe band followed with live music by Dave Arnold. RSVP to the parish office on 031 205 3710 or email saintcyprian@telkomsa.net.
P.S. The Frankly Food column returns next week when Frank Chemaly gets back from a break.