Nocturnal Wenchy

Dear friends and other interesting creatures,

You know I love the performing arts. Each venue holds its own magic.  Here is the line up for the next six months at the intimate,  classy,  vibrant @TheatreOnSquare!

I wish you enough,

When we Googled the importance of theatre in 2015 we came across these beautiful words on Yahoo Answers.

“Theatre is real and pure, untouched by technology. There are no second takes as with movies, so every stage performance is unique. It is raw human emotion and nothing compares to experiencing live theatre. Theatre is ancient, yet has never lost its relevance.”

While we completely agree with these sentiments about theatre, we know that we cannot possibly operate without technology!

Break the theatre etiquette rule, this time only, and keep your phone on… so that you can download our electrifying and dynamic new theatre line-up from our new website: www.theatreonthesquare.co.za – theatre’s trending topic of 2015.

The productions for 2015 are richly varied with serious and comedic local and international theatre, dance, jazz and classical music. Our first production will present the vibrant BONEGIO SPANISH DANCE COMPANY. If you thought Candy Crush Saga was colourful, you have obviously never seen the Bonegio Spanish Dance Company perform. This well-known Spanish dance company returns to the theatre in January with their latest show SENTIMIENTOS for five performances only from the 16th January.

Returning for a third season at the theatre, is the ANNUAL JAZZ AND BLUES WEEKEND in late January, co-ordinated by jazz musician, TONY YOKO. There will be no need to Shazaam these live performances featuring two of Belgium’s leading exponents of jazz and blues in a programme packed with groovy sounds of the Hammond Organ and Electric Guitar from virtuoso DIRK VAN DER LINDEN and the bluesy voice of JEAN VAN LINT.

If you consider yourself  a bit ‘old school’ and have only learnt how to use your i-tunes recently, then you won’t feel out-of-place when Cat Simoni relives the songs made famous by Judy Garland in CAT SINGS JUDY.

Our first serious theatre production of 2015,THE DOUBLE BASS sees well-known director, ALAN SWERDLOW, returning to the theatre. This poignant play with warmth and humour, stars actor PIETER BOSCH BOTHA will have you hitting the LIKE button several times!

Back by popular demand, we are Re-Tweeting SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS. Returning for a three-week run, this touching, human comedy, tells the story of a formidable retired woman, Lily Harrison, (played by JUDY DITCHFIELD) who hires an acerbic dance instructor, Michael Minetti, (JOSÉ DOMINGOS) to give her private dance lessons. Directed by everyone’s Facebook friend, GREG HOMANN, recipient of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre in 2014.

We are delighted to be staging a new South African in 2015. DUNCAN BUWALDA’s historical South African gem HINTERLAND will be directed by CAROLINE SMART. It’s a #ThrowBackThursday to 1899; imagine listening to a conversation between Cecil John Rhodes and ANC founding father Sol Plaatje.

The delightful SNOW GOOSE makes its Gauteng debut in April 2015. This charming play starring JAMES CAIRNS and TARYN BENNETT and directed by JENINE COLLOCOT, celebrates writer PAUL GALLICO and 1940’s values. Carefully crafted, you will wish you could Instagram moments of this special piece.

Adding some humour to our 2015 timeline is the popular comic CHRIS FORREST in his new show, WHO’S YOUR DADDY? Just in time for Father’s Day in May, this stand-up comedy show, with a pram on stage, is directed by BEVAN CULLINAN.

Before there were Twitter celebrities, we had real stars. Marlene Dietrich was one of the most famous film stars and singers and her legendary story gets a new twist by award-winning actresses, FIONA RAMSAY and JANNA RAMOS VIOLENTE in MISS DIETRICH REGRETS, a new play by GAIL LOUW.  The production, directed by JAMES CUNNINGHAM will be presented in June 2015.

Other productions, during the second half of the year, to look forward to include a new CRAIG HIGGINSON play directed by MALCOLM PURKEY as well as a production of acclaimed international Pulitzer Prize-winner for drama,DOUBT, by JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY. The hilarious comedy SEVEN DEADLY SINS with ARON McILLROY and LISA BOBBERT from Durban will have you poking for more, whilst the sweet sounds of the new girl group,HONEY, will have you searching for the familiar lyrics with which to sing along.

LINE-UP JANUARY 2015 – JUNE 2015

Bonegio Spanish Dance Company presents, SENTIMIENTOS

17th – 22nd January

This vibrant Spanish dance theatre production is largely inspired by Julia Bonegio’s favourite teachers in Spain – La Tati, Carmela Greco, La Truco and Paco Romero. Their love, nurturing spirit and the imparting of their knowledge with heart and soul, shines through Julia’s choreography and the spirit of the dancers in this well-known Spanish dance company’s latest show.

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THE THIRD ANNUAL JAZZ & BLUES WEEKEND

23rd January – 25th January

Fans of ‘Jazz and Blues’ can once again look forward to the annual ‘Jazz & Blues Weekend’ coming to Auto & General Theatre on the Square from 23rd – 25th January, 2015.

Produced by TONY YOKO, the 3rd annual event is set to showcase not only outstanding local musicians but also two of Belgium’s leading exponents of jazz and blues in a programme packed with groovy sounds of the Hammond Organ and Electric Guitar from virtuoso DIRK VAN DER LINDEN and the bluesy voice of JEAN VAN LINT and several other swinging musicians.

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CAT SINGS JUDY!

27th January – 14th February

starring CAT SIMONI, written and directed by PAUL SPENCE

Over The Rainbow with Cat.

Let’s fall in love with the divine Judy all over again! After a run of many delicious shows at Auto & General Theatre on the Square, CAT SIMONI returns with Cat Sings Judy! Over The Rainbow with Cat & JudyGarland. Written and directed by PAUL SPENCE, Cat Sings Judy! embraces the songs and life of the precociously talented girl from Grand Rapids, Minnesota they called ‘Judy Garland’ – the girl with the unique voice who was described by Fred Astaire as “the greatest entertainer who ever lived”. So come on, ‘Strike Up The Band!’, ‘Get Happy’ – and let’s soar over that old rainbow one more time with glorious Judy and lovely Cat. Join us for Cat Sings Judy! on a magical trip down the yellow brick road of wonderful memories, ‘Till The Clouds Roll By’.

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THE DOUBLE BASS

17th February – 14th March

starring PIETER BOSCH BOTHA, directed by ALAN SWERDLOW

The first exciting play of 2015 – by international playwright Patrick Suskind, translated by Michael Hofmann.

ALAN SWERDLOW returns to the Auto and General Theatre on the Square to direct acclaimed actor, PIETER BOSCH BOTHA in THE DOUBLE BASS.

This poignant play is the monologue of a double bass player, speaking to the audience in his small sound-proofed apartment and drinking beer. He is in his mid-thirties, employed at a State Orchestra. First praising his instrument and its importance in the orchestra, he reveals, with a considerable sense of humour, more and more of his past and present. A beautiful play with music, not to be missed!

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The return by popular demand after a sell–out season at this theatre and the Hilton Festival,

SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS
by Richard Alfieri

17th March – 4thApril

starring JUDY DITCHFIELD and JOSE DOMINGOS, directed by GREG HOMANN

A treat for theatre lovers, this touching and human comedy, tells the story of a formidable retired woman, Lily Harrison, (played by consummate actress JUDY DITCHFIELD) who hires an acerbic dance instructor, Michael Minetti, (JOSÉ DOMINGOS) to give her private dance lessons. What begins as an antagonistic relationship blossoms into an intimate friendship as these two people from very different backgrounds reveal their secrets, fears, and joys while dancing the Swing, Tango, Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, and Contemporary Dance. Michael and Lily learn to overcome their outward differences and discover an unlikely but profound connection. By the final lesson, Lily shares with Michael her most closely guarded secret and he shares with her his greatest gifts, loyalty and compassion. A comedy with music and dance.

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HINTERLAND

7th April – 25th April

with DAVID DUKAS as Rhodes and SIPHO MAHLATSHANA as Plaatje.

Directed by CAROLINE SMART

Set in Kimberley in 1899, the play tells the story of a relationship that develops between legendary colonialist and empire builder, Cecil John Rhodes, and ANC founding father Sol Plaatje.

Buwalda’s play traces the course of what a fictional meeting between these men may have entailed. Despite being a period piece, Hinterland is very relevant to the South Africa of today. Our history has become a battleground: a contested territory where fact, fiction and myth blur. The play brings to life two South African icons on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Hinterland was first presented at the 2012 Performing Arts Network of South Africa / NLDTF Festival of Reading of New Writing at the Catalina Theatre in Durban, where it won several awards.

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SNOW GOOSE

28th April – 16th May

starring JAMES CAIRNS and TARYN BENNETT, Directed by JENINE COLLOCOTT, SNOW GOOSE is developed from the charming PAUL GALLICO story by

JENINE COLLOCOTT, JAMES CAIRNS and TARYN BENNETT. It’s directed by JENINE COLLOCOTT and performed by JAMES CAIRNS and TARYN BENNETT. A multi-tissue play, THE SNOW GOOSE celebrates writer PAUL GALLICO and 1940’s values. The production, by arrangement by SIMON COOPER, received rave reviews in Cape Town and at the most recent Hilton and National Arts Festivals.

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WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

18th May – 31st May

starring CHRIS FORREST, directed by BEVAN CULLINAN

A comedian’s experience of the joys of becoming a father – from pregnancy to the birth, to looking after an infant. The production is an hilarious look at what really happens and how to deal with it. A must for anyone hoping to become a parent; who is a parent; or who knows a parent!

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Gail Louw’s

MISS DIETRICH REGRETS

2nd – 27th June

starring FIONA RAMSAY and JANNA RAMOS VIOLENTE

The legendary Marlene Dietrich was one of the most famous film stars and personalities. She was a symbol of glamour and never seemed to grow old. One of her many iconic quotes was; ‘I am not a myth – I am a legend!’ MISS DIETRICH REGRETS is a revealing and poignant look at the aging Marlene, and her complex relationship with her daughter Maria, battling to retain her independence. Set in Paris.

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Call the theatre on 011 883-8606  or book online via Strictly Tickets:www.strictlytickets.com or on 082 553 5901

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For further media info and enquiries call Daphne Kuhn or Mika Stefano at the theatre on 011 883-8606