Theatre shows to thrill in 2019 GOOD LIFE REPORTER
From Handel’s Messiah to The BFG, the Good Life reporter previews must-see shows for the first quarter of the year
LAST year was a great year for theatre lovers in Durban, who had something to enjoy every month. This year is no exception. We have listed the shows you must catch in the first quarter of 2019.
ELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE
COMMON AND CLASS Feb 6 - Feb17
The ultra-classy Ian von Memerty (Strictly Come Dancing, SA’s Got Talent and A Handful of Keys) reluctantly teams up with the unashamedly Philistine from De Aar, Gino Fabbri (Gino Fabbri is Completely Nuts) for an outrageous musical comedy which will have you rolling on the floor and rocking in the aisles.
ADHD
Feb 20 - March10 Join Aaron McIlroy as he embarks on a wild journey into the fantastical world of learning disorders. This hilarious take on the ‘problems’ of ADHD and other ‘disturbing behavioral patterns’ is charmingly portrayed by this master of character comedy. Many facts and theories are turned on their heads (literally) as we get a bird’s eye view into the chaotic and beautiful mind of Aaron McIlroy, who has lived with this ‘gift’ for the last half century. ADHD is a comedic steamroller without GPS.
THE BFG March 20 - March 31
Following the sold-out success of KickstArts July 2018 season of The BFG, Greg King returns to redirect this enchanting re-imagining of Roald Dahl’s delightful children’s classic about the adventures of a big, friendly giant and Sophie, a little orphan he befriends. Featuring quirky and inventive puppetry and an all-star local cast, this is ideal fare for the Easter 2019 school holidays.
THE BARNYARD THEATRE
BIG TOP ROCK Ends on February 24
As with its previous instalment and predecessor – Rock Circus – this hit show features live music, aerial acts, funky dance routines and an electrical atmosphere that will rock you like no other. Big Top Rock will mesmerise and thrill young and old in an actionpacked show featuring rock hits from six decades of music, bold acrobatics and slick choreography that will have audiences on the edge of their seats.
The Big Top Ringmaster will take you on a musical journey with music from rock groups Def Leppard, ACDC, Kings of Leon, Aerosmith and Red Hot Chili Peppers, to rock and pop icons Elvis Presley, Pink, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Pitbull and many more.
Experience a variety of acts that include pole, acrobatics, silk, trapeze and lyra – all performed to the beat of the rocking live band and singers.
ELVIS AND FRIENDS
February 26 - March 3
Elvis Presley passed away at a young age of 42 in 1977. His death created a void in the hearts of music lovers the world over. Elvis & Friends is a tribute to the legend that was Elvis – both the man and the performer. Elvis & Friends is a spectacular musical tribute to the greatest rock star of the 20th century. This tribute show is a nonstop nostalgic party that takes you back to an age of discovery when people enjoyed life and rocked like there was no tomorrow.
The show captures the onstage excitement of Elvis’s greatest performances and energetically reproduces hits from the 50s, 60s and the 70s Vegas-era. Reliving the magic of the king is Shaky Russell accompanied by a top-level band, singers and wearing costumes which are of true reflection in every detail. You can also expect a few surprises from other music legends including Tina Turner, Buddy Holly, The Shadows, Sha Na Na, Neil Diamond, Marilyn Monroe and more.
THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE
HANDEL’S MESSIAH April 2019
The Messiah is an enormously popular English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Friederic Handel, first performed in Dublin in April 1742. After what has been described as a ‘modest’ initial public reception, the oratorio has gained in popularity to the extent that it has become one of the best-known, best-loved and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.
Highlights of this much-loved work include a wealth of evergreen choral items. Among these are the magnificent Hallelujah Chorus, along with equally splendid numbers such as For Unto Us A Child Is Born.