THE OLD MUTUAL THEATRE ON THE SQUARE AT SANDTON'S NELSON MANDELA SQUARE IS THE PERFECT VENUE FOR FESTIVE SEASON SHOWS / FUNCTIONS / CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT/ PRODUCT LAUNCHES AND PRESENTATIONS
The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square at Sandton's Nelson Mandela Square is the perfect entertainment venue!
Old Mutual Theatre on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square at Sandton City
Celebrating its 15th year with 15 productions!
2011 Theatre Line-Up
Daphne Kuhn will be serving a delicious a la carte menu of fine theatre for 2011 to whet the appetite – meaty new local and international plays, satisfying revivals, steamy musicals, spicy comedies, cool classical music and hot, sizzling jazz. The theatre will proudly host the Cape Town hit and award winner, LONDON ROAD by Nick Spagnoletti, directed by Lara Bye in late February. But for starters in January, there will be a return season of the popular production TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, followed by Barbara-Anne Puren's CASUAL SAX.
In addition to the line up for the first few months, audiences can look forward to a musical revue with Judy Page; the hilarious comic opera, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE by Gilbert and Sullivan, directed by Greg Homann; a new South African play by Les Morrison, THE PRIZE OF PEACE to be directed to Clare Stopford; and a return visit by Israeli actor, Roy Horowitz with his production MY FIRST SONY.
And just when you thought we couldn't serve any more, the theatre will resume its weekly classical music lunch hour programme on Fridays from the 14th January. There will be four seasons of chamber music concerts in association with the Johannesburg Philharmonic orchestra and Sunday night JAZZ concerts - as well as the Gauteng High One-Act School Play Festival in May.
| LONDON ROAD
22nd February – 19th March |
LONDON ROAD
a new play by Nicholas Spagnoletti
directed by LARA BYE and produced by SIMON COOPER
starring Robyn Scott and Ntombi Makhutshi
After a huge success in Cape Town and numerous awards garnered at the Fleur du Caps in Cape Town and accolades at the Standard Bank National Festival, London Road, will have its Gauteng premiere at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square. This new South African play is a tender, funny and poignant story about two women from diverse backgrounds.
"London Road is a simple and intimate reflection on growing old, loneliness, fragmented families and the healing power of a friendship," says director LARA BYE. "It is a glimpse into the private lives of two very different women living in a block of flats in London Road, Sea Point." On the surface, Stella and Rosa Kaplowitz have nothing in common. Stella is a young Nigerian woman. Long distant family, dodgy gangsters and a sense of survival makes her very mistrusting of the gestures of strangers. Rosa is an elderly Jewish widow living in a flat on the fifth floor. Her children and grandchildren live in Australia and Israel so she keeps herself occupied by becoming very involved in the business of her neighbourhood.
Actress ROBYN SCOTT recently mesmerized audiences in Elizabeth-Almost By Chance A Woman, which earned her a Fleur Du Cap nomination for Best Actress. She is a renowned and award-winning character actress and has lovingly created Rosa. Up-and-coming actress NTOMBI MAKHUTSHI was most recently seen in Lago's Last Dance and Die Storie Van Die Vertaalde Mense. She is breathtaking in her versatility and depth as Stella.
London Road is written by seasoned TheatreSports performer and Cape Town writer, NICHOLAS SPAGNOLETTI, in collaboration with the director and cast. As a long-time resident of Sea Point, LONDON ROAD is born out of his observations and overheard conversations within this unique community.
"Sea Point has long been a new home for many immigrants, minority groups and marginalized people," says Spagnoletti. "The play echoes the realities of those Sea Point families in a state of migration and emigration - looking at what happens to those who choose to stay behind or arrive from somewhere else. Also informing the play is the backdrop of urban decay and rejuvenation that is contemporary Sea Point.
Director Lara Bye continues her exploration of the theatre of suggestion. With London Road she brings her trademark attention to detail, intelligent sophistication and unique theatre style and staging. |
| PAGE BY PAGE WITH JUDY : 22 March – 9 April |
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A tapestry of her life
A rare and light-hearted peek at the life and adventures of leading musical theatre personality doyenne, JUDY PAGE – told in song and words. This musical celebration of unforgettable songs and hilarious anecdotes is not to be missed!
Judy will be accompanied on the piano by CLINTON ZERF. |
| DECADENCE by Steven Berkoff
12 - 30 April |
starring rising stars of the Cape stage EMILY CHILD and SCOTT SPARROW
and directed by CHRISTOPHER WEARE
This naughty and delicious little number is a feast for all the senses…sex, temptation, indulgence, and glorious extravagance with desire and a touch of murder... DECADENCE is a comment on British society; it traces the sensual exploration of two couples’ hysterical love affairs and unusual fetishes; and it comments on the complex dynamics of man’s relationships not only with the opposite sex, but with food and copious amounts of money.
This risqué story of love and obsession, written by infamously mischievous STEVEN BERKOFF, is performed by multiple Fleur du Cap nominee – SCOTT SPARROW, Fleur Du Cap nominee and winner EMILY CHILD, and directed by acclaimed comedic expert – CHRISTOPHER WEARE. In 2010 DECADENCE was the recipient of the 2009 Fleur Du Cap’s People’s Choice Award and it received nominations in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories.
“Fearless young performers deliver breathlessly entertaining and edgy production” 48 hours
“…theatre at its most imaginative and expressive, Decadence is compulsory viewing” Daniel Dercksen
“… brilliantly choreographed by director Christopher Weare…” Brent Meersman, M&G
“…miss this production at your peril…” Marianne Thamm, Sunday Times
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| BEND IT LIKE BEAUTY
3 – 21 May |
Written and Directed by Ben Voss
After the success of Beauty and the B.E.E., actor, radio personality, writer and comic sensation Ben Voss is back with his razor-sharp, motor mouth alter - ego Beauty Ramapelepele in Bend It Like Beauty.
As the gap between Africa and the West widens, socialite and business woman of the year, Beauty, is torn between the capitalist trappings of western society and the familiar traditions of her home, South Africa. In Bend it Like Beauty. she seers the colonizer she is trying to impress and skewers the ailing colony she is tired of living in. With vitriolic candor she dishes out her verdict on her trip to the United Kingdom and what it is like to be a South African abroad.
Funny, fiery and fresh, Bend It Like Beauty has played in London for a three week season. The production won and Ovation Award for Best Comedy at the last Grahamstown National Festival. |
GAUTENG HIGH SCHOOL PLAY FESTIVAL
by arrangement with Crawford College.
22 – 28 May |
| Spice ‘n Stuff
31 May – 11 June |
Written by Ashwin Singh
Directed by Themi Venturas
A compelling mixture of comedy and drama, straight from its success in Durban at the Playhouse and Catalina theatres, Spice ‘n Stuff opens for a two week season! Described as “a celebration of life, here, now, and always”, the production stars award-winning actress, SHIKA BUDHOO with RORY BOOTH. The ensemble cast also features ASHWIN SINGH (the playwright), DHAVESHAN GOVENDER, KAJAL MAHARAJ and NTHANDO MNCUBE, who play a variety of roles in this richly populated piece which vividly evokes the life and times and the many-sided dynamics of the community it describes.
“Like a good curry, Spice ‘n Stuff is a varied mix of appealing ingredients, perfectly flavoured, with a bit of a kick ... and a pleasant aftertaste that remains long after one has left the theatre. Singh’s beautifully crafted play is rich in humour and in sadness, peppered with witty one-liners and moving insights… It deserves to be seen by as wide an audience as possible… so make the effort and go and see this gem” - Clinton Marius, Artsmart. |
| THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE: 14th June - 9th July | Directed by Greg Homann |
 | Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic masterpiece, The Pirates of Penzance, gets a serious downsize. With just five men, one pianist and a whole lot of dresses, eye patches and swashbuckling, director Greg Homann brings this witty theatrical masterpiece to our intimate theatre. Originally written for a full orchestra and a cast of thirty plus, now, this never before seen reduced version, takes the satire and the comedy to its extreme. This is entertainment for young and old. Don’t miss “Poor Wondering One”, “I am the very model of a modern Major-General", "Hail, Poetry", “When the foeman bares his steel (Tarantara! Tarantara!)” and the other favourites, sung with all the gusto (and falsetto) that an all star cast of men can muster! |
FRIDAY LUNCH HOUR CLASSICAL CONCERTS
2011 Line-up at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square
The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square is delighted and proud to announce that the lunch-hour classical music concerts will continue as usual every Friday at 12h45 for 1pm from January 14 2011. Tickets will remain R30 and will include coffee and biscuits.
The concerts will now be run and produced independently by the theatre. For a glorious, stress-free musical treat on Fridays, come to the theatre at lunchtime, where a dynamic line-up of concerts by South Africa's finest classical musicians is being devised. A platform will be given to new and exciting young talents, repertoires and recitals by established performing artists, instrumentalists, opera singers and visiting international musicians.
During this year an exciting programme will include a winter and summer season of chamber music concerts in association the JPO (Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra). In addition there will be a choice of quality fare for all tastes from classical to contemporary. All this and more, in the intimate environment of the theatre with its warm ambience, accessible and safe parking - and its surrounding restaurants and coffee bars for lunch, as well as visits to art galleries, shops and the library on the Nelson Mandela Square.
To encourage supporting of the arts and audience development at the theatre, there will be a ticket draw each week. Two lucky winners at each concert will receive complimentary tickets for an evening theatre performance at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square.
1st JPO Season 2011
4 March
Zanta Hofmeyr (violin), Daline Wilson (violin), Morkel Combrink (viola), Wessel Beukes (cello) – Beethoven String Quartet op. 18 no. 3 and 1
11 March
Zanta Hofmeyr (violin), Daline Wilson (violin), Morkel Combrink (viola), Wessel Beukes (cello) – Beethoven String Quartet op. 18 no. 5 and 2
18 March
Zanta Hofmeyr (violin), Daline Wilson (violin), Morkel Combrink (viola), Wessel Beukes (cello) – Beethoven String Quartet op. 18 no. 6 and 4
25 March
The trio “Venato” playing the “Four Seasons in Buenos Aires” by Astor Piazzolla
1 April
Mixed classical programme with the David Tombak string quartet
8 April
Piano recital with Wessel van Wyk (piano)
15 April
Adrian Ignat and the Vienna String Quartet
22 April
Good Friday – No Concert
We reserve the right to alter or change programmes without prior notice.
Contacts: Daphne Kuhn on 011 883 8606 or theatreonthesquare@gmail.com
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THEATRE TIMES AND SPECIAL OFFERS
20:15 Tues - Fri and 18:00 & 20:30 on Saturdays
DINNER/SHOW PACKAGES - R320 +/- plus at leading restaurants on the Nelson Mandela Square - Lekgotla Restaurant, Montego Bay, The Butcher Shop and Grill and Wangthai. This includes a three course meal as well as the theatre tickets.
THE HIRE OF THEATRE (200 seats)
for corporate functions, presentations etc including all technical facilities, use of auditorium, foyer for function etc: R6,000 exclusive per day.
HIRE OF THEATRE FOR A CORPORATE FUNCTION - R6,000.00 per day excluding VAT
HIRE OF THEATRE FOR A FUNCTION AND TO INCLUDE SHOW (catering can be arranged)
for 200 people: R110 x 200 according to the show
HIRE OF THEATRE FOR A FUNCTION AND TO INCLUDE SHOW (catering can be arranged) for 200 people: R110 x 200 according to the show
FUNDRAISERS - we offer you a special discount - R90 x 200 seats - you mark up the price
The usual Ticket price range is listed below BUT PLEASE check above under each production listing for more detail:
NORMAL TICKET PRICE - R120.00 - R200.00
STUDENTS / SENIORS - R80.00 - R100.00
SCHOOL GROUPS - R50.00
GROUP BOOKINGS - Less 10% for 10 or more
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: R1,500.00
FRIENDS OF THE THEATRE: R200 / R250 per year
CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP: R8,000.00 p.a. plus VAT
FUNDRAISERS - For Sold Out houses (200 tickets)
R100 x 200 You mark up the ticket price!
Children's Theatre: R50
ENQUIRIES: CALL DAPHNE KUHN (Owner/Producer) on tel 011-883-8606
BOOKINGS: Call the Theatre on tel. 011-883-8606 or book on line - www.theatreonthesquare.co.za or www.strictlytickets.com or call Strictly Tickets on 073-725-7381
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