The cast of 'Shrek The Musical Jr.'
Image: Stefane Leny
Fans of "Shrek the Musical Jr" will be thrilled with this news: the popular show is returning after a successful previous run.
This delightful musical, featuring everyone's favourite green ogre, is currently playing exclusively at the Peoples Theatre.
Before you dismiss it with a "been-there, done-that" attitude, understand that while the core narrative remains, the production features new choreography, costumes, and a fresh cast.
Following the journey of the misunderstood ogre Shrek and his wise-cracking sidekick, Donkey, the audience watches as they endeavour to reclaim their swamp from the ambitious Lord Farquaad.
The cast of 'Shrek The Musical Jr.'
Image: Stefane Leny
Their quest introduces them to a feisty princess, a fire-breathing dragon, and a collection of fairy tale misfits, all of whom ultimately demonstrate that true beauty is an inner quality.
The creative team features Jill Girard as the director, Grant Knottenbelt on set design, Luciano Zuppa handling costumes and Sandy Dyer Richardson as the choreographer.
Where: Peoples Theatre.
When: Runs until Sunday, April 19. Times vary between weekdays and weekends.
Fiona Ramsay, in her inimitable style, is back on stage in "The Opera Singer”.
Written and directed by Janna Ramos-Violante, the play centres on an interview between a journalist and the titular opera singer. Through this encounter, the audience discovers the singer's sharp wit, her tightly held secrets, a history of profound trauma, and her unique, often whimsical, personality.
This poignant offering features Owain Rees-Davie as a co-star.
The narrative revolves around a journalist attempting to secure an interview with the leading star. It delves into her complex, singular personality - her sharp wit, closely held secrets and deep-seated trauma.
The play ultimately reveals a highly intriguing, enigmatic character whose public persona is a coping mechanism for a massive talent, profound self-doubt, and desperate loneliness.
Despite the searing insights into her life, the play crackles with wit and offers a wry philosophical take on the human condition. The play, while offering searing insights into her life, is also electrifyingly witty and offers a wry philosophical take on the human condition.
Where: Theatre on the Square.
When: Runs until March 28, 7.30pm.
Sophiatown, or Kofifi as it was affectionately known, was a legendary black cultural hub, serving as the epicentre for politics, jazz and blues.
Original songs and a cappella harmony from the period, many of which focus on Sophiatown itself, are woven throughout the play.
Despite the prevalent violence and poverty, Sophiatown symbolised a society where people lived together harmoniously, undivided by race or colour, allowing for freedom of action, association, and expression.
The play offers an imaginative reconstruction of a remarkable story: a group of journalists living together advertised for a new housemate. Despite prevailing apartheid laws, they successfully obtained permission for a white Jewish woman to join their household. Integration was the core challenge.
Where: Gibson Kente Theatre at Soweto Theatre.
When: Runs until March 22. Times vary.