Cabaret news: Wêla Kapela Productions, Cabaret Festive Season 2023

Exciting news is that Wêla Kapela Productions is bringing two of its acclaimed cabarets to the Artscape Arena over the festive season. A Star is Born – the Rise and Fall of Judy Garland, stars Kerry Hiles, (December 13-23). NEXT!!! Auditions are not for the faint of heart – stars Dikelo Miamala (December 15-23). See both as a double bill on selected nights, for R200 or pay R150 a ticket to see each one separately. Read on for more. Info as supplied:

~A Star is Born – the Rise and Fall of Judy Garland – December 13 to 23, 2023

Starring: Kerry Hiles

Writer/director: Amanda Bothma

Piano accompaniment: Luke Holder

Where: Artscape Arena, December 15-23, 2023

Garland’s career began at the age of two and a half and at the age of 13 she signed her first movie contract. The Wizard of Oz earned her an Oscar at 17… by 47 she was dead. How did Hollywood’s brightest star dim so fast? Garland was Hollywood’s queen of the comebacks. Whenever her career and personal life hit rock bottom, she would stage a spectacular comeback and again hit the big time. The multi-Grammy-winning recording, of her Carnegie Hall performance, is still regarded as the single greatest live album by a singer of popular American standards.

A Star is Born is a cabaret by Kerry Hiles and  Luke Holder, it follows the life of this iconic artist from her first stage appearance to her untimely death. This Wela Kapela’s production of A STAR IS BORN has played to sell out audience at the Edinburgh Festival and received not one but two Standard Bank Ovation awards at the National Arts Festival in Makanda. The audience’s reaction to A Star is Born is fascinating.  Every night, they gasp, they groan, they shake their heads in disbelief. The audience is transfixed by this riveting story of Judy Garland.

A STAR IS BORN written and directed by Amanda Bothma, tells the story of a child star, abused by the studio system, her mother who fed her upper and downers, later her husbands, her business managers – everyone wanted a piece of the pie. It is both an entertaining and sophisticated work.

Wela Kapela Productions is fun, frivolous, provocative, daring and, perhaps, even a little boastful. Founded in 2018 by Amanda Bothma this East London company, has become one of the major cabaret producers in South Africa.

~ NEXT!!! – Auditions are not for the faint-hearted


Starring: Dikelo Miamala

Writer/director: Amanda Bothma

Musical director/pianist: Jacques Du Plessis

Where: Artscape Arena, December 15-23, 2023

Relebogitata is entranced it is the third time she has seen this show , her bright brown eyes sparkle, she soaks up every word, every move, every nuance. As the audience leaves the theater ….  Relebogilethata just sits theatre with a little knwing smile.  She wispers softly, I want to be a star. Ten years later Relebogilethata, seesaws between waitressing and auditions!

Is this the right song to impress?  STEP, KICK ,KICK, TOUCH, TURN my feet hurt, I am a sweaty mess…6-7-8…I need this break…NEXT!!! In this roller coaster ride of heartache and hope, Relebogilethata bounces from one audition to the next, performing popular musical numbers to powerful isiXhosa songs by Miriam Makeba. ANYTHING to avoid the dreaded Next!!!

Against this background, Dikelo, takes the audience through the highs and lows of our feisty young performer’s journey.  She slips between the eight different character with ease, yet it is her portrayal of the feisty, fun loving Relebogilethata,  that enables her to engage in a direct, emotional conversation with the audience. Using comedy, music and dance, Relebogilethata will dazzle you.

Direct booking link for both cabarets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1537386873                                                                                                            

✳ Featured image- Dikelo Miamala stars in NEXT!!! Auditions are not for the faint of heart. This cabaret by Wêla Kapela Productions is on at the Artscape Arena, Cape Town, December 13 to 23, 2023. Book here: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1537386873 Sponsored content. Images supplied.