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Christine Skinner
The temperature may be dropping but things are hotting up with the June programme at The Drama Factory. Catch some magic, music and theatre that’s fun for all the family with this month’s line-up.
“We are thrilled to welcome back Somerset West’s very own Bryan Miles, who captivates everyone with his unique brand of magic, illusion and mentalism. Don’t miss this rare chance to catch him in his home town,” says Sue Diepeveen, owner of The Drama Factory. “There’s also wonderful theatre for our younger patrons with a reimagined take on classic favourite Little Redridinghood and the big bad wolf. As always we have the best selection of South African musical talent.”
The June programme is:
10 June at 19h30 and 11 June at 16h00
Hidden Senses with Bryan Miles
Tickets cost R150 / R170
The phenomenal Bryan Miles is back with Hidden Senses. The show is an interactive journey through the cracks in human perception. Is it possible to create the illusion of a 6th sense? Bryan is a master of the wicked manipulation of the mind and a performer who is trained in the art of thought deception. He has performed across the globe, from London to Los Angeles, and is the only South African repeatedly booked to perform at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood. His primetime SABC TV series, “One Day with Bryan Miles” had South Africans across the country questioning what is possible and what is not.
16 and 17 June at 19h30
Women in Country
Tickets cost R160 / R180
The superbly talented Grace Newton brings us Women in Country. This show celebrates the wonderful female songwriters who have brought us music that makes us dance, cry and sing along. Women In Country features songs from Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Allison Krauss, June Carter-Cash and more. Come and join us while we "Feel like a woman", "Will always love you" and "Go down to the river to pray".
The band comprises: Grace Newton (Old Town) is on lead vocals, Hugo Veldsman (Hugo Veldsman) on slide guitar, Gustav Franzsen (Hugo Veldsman) on bass, Tim Rankin (Bed on Bricks/Hot Water) on drums and Eric Newton on rhythm guitar. All band members are seasoned performers and have got together for this great country show to celebrate some of the greatest songwriters of our time.
17 June at 10am
Little Red Ridinghood and the big bad wolf
Tickets cost R100
This classic tale, originally by the brothers Grimm, has been reworked as an entertaining play by Gaerin Hauptfleisch - who also makes one or two appearances as Handy Andy, the handyman. As in the fairytale, Red Riding Hood gets lost in the forest on her way to her grandmother’s house. Here she meets Adolf the Wolf who immediately starts planning the meal he intends to make out of Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother. This leads to the famous scene where Wolf explains why his eyes, ears and mouth are so big. Audiences will have to come and see for themselves whether Little Red Riding Hood survives the explanation.
The other members of this experienced professional cast are Stephanie Hough, Dean van der Ventel and Karli Heine who have all been involved in the South African theatre and television industry for several years.
23 June at 19h30
Sjarrap en eet jou kos!
Tickets cost R150
Harde eiers? Sagte eiers? Warm melk of koue melk? Wit brood of bruin brood? To be or not to be? Was Shakespeare dan ook ‘n waiter? In hierdie bekkige toneelstuk steek Ilne Fourie (skrywer en skepper van die komedie Laerskool Noord) die draak met kliënte wat sy bedien het as kelnerin. Daar word geskinder, geklets, gekloek en natuurlik gekoek en tee tot jy sal skater van die lag. ‘n Indiepte kykie van wat agter die skerms...of sal ‘n mens liewer sê skinkborde gebeur! ‘n Dag in die lewe van ‘n kelner is alles behalwe koek en konfyt! So Sjarrap en eet jou kos!
Ilne Fourie (skrywer en skepper van die komedie Laerskool Noord) bring haar komiese eenvrouvertoning Sjarrap en eet jou kos! Kaap toe! In hierdie pittige komedie besin Fourie oor haar tyd as kelner en sy skroom nie om haar klante op hul plek te sit nie! Die verhoogproduksie was so gewild dat dit deur Fourie verwerk is tot ñ radiokomedie vir RSG en word as “briljant” en uitstekend” deur RSG-luisteraars beskryf. Haar lekkerlag-vermaak is deur ander met “volpunte” bekroon en iemand het bygevoeg dat dit tot “giggel op giggel” gelei het - Kobus Burger Fourie was self vir lank ‘n kelnerin en het van haar wedervaringe verwerk. Hierdie lewensgetroue humor het een luisteraar laat skryf: “Ek lê soos ek lag, al pyn my rug...”
25 June at 4pm
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Tickets cost R130 / R150
James Marais and Monique Cassells’ popular oldies tribute show, A Trip Down Memory Lane features songs by the artists you know and love from the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Cliff Richard, Cher, the Platters and Creedence Clearwater Revival, as well as the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Roy Orbison, ABBA and Queen. The show is a mini-theatrical experience, featuring the dynamic vocal and visual performances of James and Monique, alternating as a duo and individual performers, who also do multiple costume changes throughout.
James and Monique are renowned for their “oldies” music tribute shows, and have successfully been performing together since 2009. James is the no. 1 Elvis Presley tribute artist in the country, and has appeared on television several times, including appearances on SABC 2’s game shows, “Noot Vir Noot” and “Musiek Roulette”, as well as Kyknet’s “Jou Show”, presented by Emo Adams. Monique is an accomplished vocalist, having performed many different genres of music over the years, including rock ‘n roll, rock, pop, country, blues, ballads and even light classical. She made her television debut on SABC 2’s “Musiek Roulette”.
30 June at 7.30pm
James Stewart & John Ellis Live
Tickets cost R160 / R170
James Stewart and John Ellis journey with their audiences through the songs which inspired them to write their own - from interpretations of some their favourite songs to intimate performances of their own, blending piano, guitar, melody and vocal harmonies.
James Stewart is a multi-Emmy nominated, multi-SAMA Award winning singer and songwriter. He achieved success as the frontman for the chart-topping band, The Usual, and subsequently enjoyed solo success. His songs like ‘The Shape that I’m in’, ‘Like a vision’, ‘You don’t stop turning me on’ and ‘Shine’ continue to be played on radio.
John Ellis is a singer-songwriter from Durban, South Africa. John lead his band Tree63 to international acclaim as that band’s singer, guitar player and award-winning songwriter. As a solo artist, he has been nominated for a SAMA award, and has released five solo albums.
6 and 7 July at 19h30
Amanda Strydom,State of the Heart
Tickets cost R200 / R220
Recent winner of the Naledi Theatre Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical Theatre Production for Brel / Piaf, doyenne of the musical theatre, Amanda Strydom, celebrates the 30 anniversary of her iconic one woman musical play, State of the Heart. Strydom wrote State of the Heart in 1993 and won the Dalro and Showtime awards for Cabaret of the Year and Show of the year in 1994. The show was the first of her six self-penned one woman plays to date, in which she integrates a storyline with music to create a one woman musical theatre experience. This production has been performed in S.A., Namibia, the Netherlands, Belgium, on farm verandas, a cave in Hermanus, a train between Johannesburg and Bloemfontein and is still in high demand.
This timeless love story, in six languages, was directed by Ian Roberts, and gently pokes fun at the Afrikaner soul giving a glimpse of the history of South Africa from the twenties to the late seventies. It was a time when women had to know their place, peroxide their skins (because freckles were considered common); when men wore braces and smoked Springboktwak and Boeremeisies had to marry Boereseuns! The heroine, Maxie de Meyer (a boeremeisie) falls in love with Raymond G. Bartlett ( a dashing rooinek) who also happens to be a R.A.F fighter pilot – and a drama in the tradition of Springbok radio serials unfolds. Amanda is accompanied by the talented Coenraad Rall on Piano.
Bookings for all shows can be made at www.thedramafactory.co.za or contact 0732153290.
With its fully licensed bar and cosy, welcoming atmosphere, The Drama Factory is the perfect venue to enjoy top-quality entertainment with a group of friends or family. The solar-powered invertor ensures the show will always go on, even when there is load-shedding!
Make a staycation of a visit to The Drama Factory, booking in with one of their wonderful accommodation partners. Spend the night at The Views Guesthouse, 185 on Beach or Majorca House to enjoy the beauty and many other activities on offer in the surrounding Helderberg region. Visit the website for further details.
The Drama Factory is situated at 10 Comprop Sq, Henry Vos Close, Asla Business Park, Strand, Western Cape. Parking is available at the venue.