Grace Newton/ Jonathan Tait / Wouter Reyneke / Christoph De Chavonnes Vrugt and Arno van Zy
60mins
Music
Old Town is Grace Newton on lead vocals, Jonathan Tait (Hatchetman) on guitar and backing vocals, Wouter Reyneke (Radio Kalahari Orkes) on bass, Christoph De Chavonnes Vrugt (Crimson House) on drums and Arno van Zyl (Crimson House) on banjo. Mainly drawing influence from old time traditional country western and bluegrass music, the band delivers their own fast paced and modern reading of the genre. Their first single, White & Black, was recorded early in 2018 which laid the groundwork for their forthcoming full-length album release.
Werner Carstens, on lead guitar, mandolin, and backing vocals/ Craig Stott on acoustic guitar and lead vocals , Charl Strutt and Gavin Young feature on bass and drums respectively.
120mins
Music
“Peace Train to a Wild World” is a nostalgic, memorable tribute to Nobel Peace prizewinner, megastar and multi-instrumentalist, Yusuf / Cat Stevens and not only highlights Yusuf’s / Cat Stevens’ haunting melodies and soulful lyrics, but also gives one a glimpse into the life of one of the world’s greatest folk-rock artists, from birth to current status as converted Muslim and humanitarian. The tribute features Werner Carstens, on lead guitar, mandolin, and backing vocals. Craig Stott on acoustic guitar and lead vocals has received standing ovations for his renditions of Yusuf / Cat Stevens’ hits, while, Charl Strutt and Gavin Young feature on bass and drums respectively. The group has enjoyed sold-out performances at various theatres and theatre supper venues in and around Cape Town and up country.
You are invited you to hop onto their “Peace Train” and to enjoy the nostalgic trip to their “Wild World” of gold-status hits and showstoppers like “Oh Very Young”, “Lady D’Arbanville”,“Moonshadow”, “Matthew and Son”, “Morning Has Broken”, “Fatherand Son”, “The First Cut Is The Deepest” and “Can’t Keep It In”, to mention but a few.
Rosanthorn - Carol Thorns/ Anjulie Knock & Dorette Roos
60mins
Music
These three cellists share an exciting vision for the Cello – to revisit and re-position an instrument that is often overlooked. The result is an act that leads the way in the electric string genre.
This all-female electric cello trio released their first self- titled 6 track EP in April 2017 (available on Itunes and at www.rosanthorn.bandcamp.com) Their album launch parties in Plett, Cape Town and Somerset West in 2017 were and instant success and tickets have been sold-out for all their public events to date.
Rosanthorn have set out a compositional and technical journey to explore all that the Cello has to offer across multiple genres and timbres, with the help of South Africa’s top composers and producers. Their repertoire includes recordings and re-interpretations of works as varied as Vivaldi’s Double Concerto in G Minor, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, and Imogen Heap’s Hide and Seek. Anjulie Nock has composed new works such as Night Journey (with a stirring Game of Thrones feel) and an original Tango (think Scent of a Woman for Cello). The Parting, by Helmut Meijer, is a reflective, stripped-down, soulful composition which inspired their first music video.
Says Producer and Composer Helmut Meijer, ‘The sound of the 3 cello’s together is exquisite. This project is musically satisfying and a pleasure to record – I predict that Rosanthorn is going to be the talk of the town’
Created and performed by Ntombi Mkhasibe / Vincent Meyburgh of Jungle Theatre Company . Director Seiso Qhola (Photo Credits: Maryatta Wegerif Photography)
45mins
Childrens Theatre
Age 3 - 10 years
The Magic Shell is based on an African folktale and set in ancient times on the Wild coast. The first people lived in a time before people had any stories to tell. A married couple go on a journey to find stories. The wife goes on an adventure leaving the husband to look after the home and the children. On her way she learns from various comical wild animals; she is challenged to be brave and determined and to find stories in surprizing places. The story comes to life in English and isiXhosa with original songs and innovative masks. “So simple and magical. Really clever how it makes one use your imagination.” “Very creative and imaginative. Kids really enjoyed it!” “Lovely show, beautiful story and wonderful acting.”
Anton Goosen se nuwe CD “Padkos”, is sy 1ste sedert die “Groen Blomme”-projek 11 jaar gelede. Hy beskryf die musiek op die album as organiese klanke waaraan hy & Peter Pearlson sy ingenieur, vir 6 jaar aan & af aan gewerk het.
Slegs “Diep Blou See” & “Beestepote”, waarop die “Soetstemme” Koor van die “Delta Solms” plaas gehoor kan word, is in ‘n ateljee opgeneem. Die musiek is of tuis (Gansbaai), of in Peter se kantoor by die Sound Acadamy (waar hy ingenieurklasse aanbied), opgeneem. Denzl Keenan van die groep “Rooibaard”, speel al jare saam met Anton & danksy tegnologie, kon hy sy snitte tuis in Clarens opneem en via die internet stuur. Organiese klanke volgens Anton is o.a die feit dat daar geen tromme, elektriese kitare, of elektroniese instrumente op die album is nie. Die album is deurspek van akoestiese kitare, ‘n “Hammond” orrel, stomp box, cajon, trompie, bongo’s, mondfluitjie, traporrel, klavier, alt saxofoon, banjo ens. Van die musikante wat op die album gehoor kan word is o.a. Lise Swart (agtergrondstem) Schalk Joubert (baskitaar), Fred Koch (van die “Bushrockband”), Albert Frost, Gian Groen, Nielen Prinsloo, Denzl Keenan, Vernon Swart, e.a. Anton het met die skryf en opnames van die album sy musikale wortels herontdek. In die openingssnit, “Diep Blou See” bekyk & beskryf hy sy omgewing in Gansbaai vanuit ‘n boomhuis waar hy als kan dophou: die Noorkapperwalvisse, die wit doodhaaie, die perlemoen & galjoen, die hawe, ens. “‘n Pawpaw vir my Darling” was die temaliedjie vir Koos Roets se film oor Jeanne Goosen se boek met die selfde titel. Die film sowel as die liedjie was lokettreffers. “Poliesman kan my nie vang nie” is die storie van Scotty Smith oftewel George Lennox (1845-1919) wat ‘n perde & diamant dief was. Hy het by die rykes gesteel & die arm man gehelp het, daarom was hy ook bekend as Suid-Afrika se eie Robin Hood. “Ou blou geroeste kruiwa”, “Perlemoentjie” & “Sagte Kaapse Reën” is liefdesliedjies, sommige in ‘n ongewone baadjie. Die “Uilvrou van Nieu Bethesda” is die storie van Miss Helin Martins, die wêreldbekende “outsider” wat met die hulp van Koos Malgas verskeie eiesoortige sementuile & beelde geskep het.
“Die bulldozers gallop” is ‘n surrealistiese lawwigheid van hoe die Kaap & Gauteng, Tafelberg
Directed by Chris Weare with Shirley Johnston as Gertrude Stein and Lynita Crofford as Alice B Toklas. Written by Win Wells
60mins
Drama
Smoking on stage during the show
This evocative and witty play explores the extraordinary relationship between American modernist author and poet Gertrude Stein and lifelong partner Alice B. Toklas who rejected the conservative values of middleclass America in the early nineteen hundreds and found refuge in the bohemian decadence of Paris… and in each other. Stein drew artistic genius to her salon like a magnet, numbering among her close friends Hemingway, Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne, Klee and Scott Fitzgerald among other artists, writers and poets.
They regularly gathered at what became known as the ‘Mecca for the modern-minded’ where they inspired each other to create art, drank often, fought often, fell in and out of love… and occasionally indulged in Alice’s hash brownies.
'Beautifully calibrated performances that captivated and drew you into a story well told. Lynita Crofford and Shirley Johnston drew you into the lives of Getrude Stein and Alice B Toklas with total conviction - the intimacy of the theatre enhancing the unfolding of their relationship. Full marks to Chris Weare for directing a complex script with a sensitive understatement that moved between pathos and humour so effortlessly' 'Brilliant. Effortlessly portrayed. An immersive love story.'
It’s a rare treat to see two actors at the top of their respective games in a powerful and poignant two-hander tour de force! Both Lynita Crofford and Shirley Johnston are superb in this wryly witty, tender piece detailing the relationship between Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas.
