| April 2024 lineup at The Drama Factory Where: The Drama Factory Address: 10 Comprop Sq, Henry Vos Close, Asla Business Park, Strand, Western Cape Bookings: With credit card www.thedramafactory.co.za or contact 073 215 2290 Venue details: Parking is available at the venue, food and nibbles for sale |
The Drama Factory in the Strand has an amazing programme for April 2024. Ignatius Van Heerden is involved in three of the productions. One of the productions Birthing Nureyev, based on the life of Rudolph Nureyev, was first launched in 2019 at the National Arts Festival Makhanda, to critical acclaim. He is directing a new work, What have you done with the garden?. This interdisciplinary piece choreographed by Penny Wolhuter with videography by Kim Wolhuter “focuses on how humans are inextricably linked to nature, and how when we move away from it or try to deny our wild side, we lose our souls.” Read on for more about the Drama Factory April 2024 lineup. Info as supplied:
It’s amazing April at The Drama Factory!
As usual, The Drama Factory has a tantalising lineup this month, packed with everything from comedy and music to drama and dance.
Experience the best of South African live performance at this cosy, intimate venue which offers secure parking, drinks before the show and a back-up solar-powered invertor that ensures the show always goes on, even when there’s loadshedding!
“Blues and rock ‘n roll are popular classic genres. We’ve got the best of them in April with the Gimme Shelter Band and Albert Frost with Gerald Clark,”says Sue Diepeveen, Founder of The Drama Factory. “We also can’t wait to welcome the fabulous iconic Cape Town band The Rockettz New Generation.
“We have not one but two captivating and dramatic productions from award-winning leftfoot productions, with Birthing Nureyev and What Have You Done With the Garden, and don’t miss Rolex Met ‘n K, a comedy from Andre Lotter and Ignatius Van Heerden.”
The April line-up is:
Gimme Shelter Band Unplugged: A Night of Rolling Stones Music
April 4 at 19h30
Tickets cost R220 / R200
The Rolling Stones are the world’s longest-running rock ‘n’ roll band and arguably one of the most influential one of all time. Four of Cape Town’s top musicians, who have been performing to sold-out crowds all over the Western Cape, pay homage to this legendary band.
The musical spectacular, Gimme Shelter Unplugged : A Night of Rolling Stones Music will be presented by Jake Gunn, Ruben Gerritz, Lenny Miskin and Wouter Reyneke. Followers of the Stones can expect to hear all their favourites, like ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’, ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ and ‘Wild Horses’ and even a few they’ve never heard before. Whether you’ve been a fan for decades or just discovering their magic, it’s time to rock and roll!
Rock Around The Clock – The Morning After Band
April 7 at 4pm
Tickets cost R180 / R160
Following the success of their previous shows Country Roads and We Built This City – A Tribute to the 80s at The Drama Factory last year, The Morning After Band, presents Rock Around The Clock, a captivating showcase of popular music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
Known for their electrifying performances and ability to capture the essence of classic Rock ‘n Roll, The Morning After band, with their incredible talent and passion for great music from the 1950s – 1970s, will don their smart black suits, and take audiences on a nostalgic journey through hits of legendary artists like Bill Haley & His Comets’, “Rock Around The Clock”, Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B Goode“, The Beatles’ “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”, Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be The Day”, Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”, Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in The Wall”, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising”, and Status Quo’s “Rockin’ All Over The World”, among others.
Prepare to “Rock Around The Clock” and be transported back in time, as you embark on this musical voyage spanning three decades of the greatest music!
Blues From The Cape With Albert Frost and Gerald Clark
April 11 at 19h30
Tickets cost R200 / R180
Blues from the Cape is a rare opportunity to witness the incredible talent of South African songwriters and musicians, Albert Frost and Gerald Clark. They will be performing a wide range of material, including country blues, folk blues, and rock music from their catalogue. These multi-award-winning and nominated musicians are sure to impress. The intimate setting of the show will make for an unforgettable experience that you’ll regret missing out on.
Albert Frost‘s energetic performances as a SAMA award-winning blues and rock guitarist and singer have captivated audiences worldwide for the past three decades. Miles Keylock of Rolling Stone has aptly named him “the dark prince of South African blues.” Dubbed the “South African Hendrix,” Albert Frost is known for his exceptional skills in both rhythm and lead guitars, making him a true master of the craft. Gerald Clark is a highly accomplished and multi-award-nominated South African musician renowned for his incredible voice, songwriting skills, and ability to tell stories through his music. He is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s top musicians and exports, famous for his ability to infuse soul and honesty into his blues-inspired music, regardless of the genre.
Rolex Met ‘n K
April 13 at 19h30 and April 14 at 16h00
Tickets cost R220
Met Andre’ Lotter en Ignatius Van Heerden.
Speurder-sersant Wihan Byleveldt ondersoek ‘n buitengewone juweelrooftog. Die horlosie wat gebuit is, is ‘n Rolex maar nie net nog ‘n Rolex nie. Een van net 10 in die wêreld wat met ‘n k gespel word en wat deur ‘n berugte meestervervalser op eksklusiewe internetveilings verkoop word. Die speurder se ondersoek lei hom na Jean du Randt, die plaasseun met ‘n geheim, Louis-Louise LeBonn, die pierewaaier-fopdosser, en Leksie Pieterse, die popmooi winkelassistent by die juwelier. Wie is die skuldige of is daar ‘n ander vangplek? Hierdie is die een “whodunnit” wat jou gaan laat skater en aan die raai hou. Jy mag dit nie misloop nie.
What Have You Done With The Garden?
Dance / Interdisciplinary
April 18 at 19h30 and April 20 at 16h00
Tickets cost R150
What have you done with the garden? is a new interdisciplinary work choreographed by Penny Wolhuter with videography by Kim Wolhuter and direction by Ignatius van Heerden. The production focuses on how humans are inextricably linked to nature, and how when we move away from it or try to deny our wild side, we lose our souls.
The work draws inspiration from Penny Wolhuter’s personal life and explores parallel themes from The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. In so doing, it asks questions about reconnecting to nature and how to evolve without forgetting our true beginnings.
This new work, produced by Leftfoot Dance Productions, fuses dance, text, and AV to tell the story of what happens when we disconnect from nature and place ourselves above it.
Birthing Nureyev
April 19 at 19h30 and April 21 at 16h00
Tickets cost R200
Following the award-winning success of Nijinsky’s War, leftfoot productions, in association with Andrew Steyn, presents a new production: Birthing Nureyev.
Birthing Nureyev, written by award-winning Henque Heymans, starring Ignatius Van Heerden and directed by Andre Odendaal, is a dance infused theatrical work, based on the life of Russia’s finest dancer – Rudolph Nureyev. It is Leftfoot productions’ third instalment of work focusing on a dancer and completes the trilogy. The production first launched at the National Arts Festival Makhanda in 2019 to critical acclaim.
Birthing Nureyev focusses on Nureyev’s exceedingly dramatic escape from Russia on June 16, 1961, when he slipped through his keepers’ fingers to defect to the West. The KGB’s insidious attempts from behind the iron curtain to destroy his career are juxtaposed to his prodigious success in the West. Despite his fame and fortune, Nureyev was shattered when his home country denounced him and damningly charged him with high treason. Most heart-breaking was the inevitable alienation from his loved ones.
The Rockettz New Generation present A Harmonious Blend of Past & Present
28 April 16h00
Tickets cost R200 / R180
Backed by a formidable band of talented musicians, Manuel Losper, lead vocalist of The Rockettz New Generation band, takes centre stage, to transport the audience on a nostalgic musical journey infused with a harmonious blend of old and new featuring popular medleys, timeless old school and R & B hits, Pop, Rock, Ballads, Reggae and South African classics, as well as a few current, trending hits.
Do you recall The Rockets, South Africa’s enduring musical force that spanned from 1968 into the 2020s? Following the untimely passing of the late Jerry Watt, Manuel Losper and the other band members who performed with Jerry before his passing, rebranded and emerged as The Rockettz New Generation. Embarking on an exciting new chapter, this ensemble is ushering in a fresh era under the leadership of Manuel Losper, one of South Africa’s premier male vocalists.
Aptly titled A Harmonious Blend of Past & Present the show delivers a clear message – as echoed in Robbie Williams’ hit, “Let Me Entertain You.” Prepare to be entertained!
Bookings for all shows can be made at www.thedramafactory.co.za or contact 073 215 2290.
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.
| The Drama Factory Established in 2017, The Drama Factory has become renowned as a prime destination for patrons to enjoy quality entertainment across a range of genres in a relaxed and welcoming environment. As well as showcasing mainstream productions, The Drama Factory offers creatives a venue to workshop performances, providing an affordable space for artists to bring their creative ideas to life. The Drama Factory hosts a number of training initiatives, including a theatre lighting training programme. Through its relationship with organisations such as the Anna Foundation and Masikhule, The Drama Factory enables opportunities for young theatre goers to attend performances and workshops, assisting to build audiences and artists for tomorrow. Committed to providing a platform to nurture original South African theatre productions, The Drama Factory also co-produces new work, such as the What Did The Fox Say? Series which was sponsored by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. The Drama Factory on social media https://www.thedramafactory.co.za/ https://www.facebook.com/thedramafactorycpt https://www.instagram.com/thedramafactory/ https://twitter.com/TheDramaFactor1 |
✳ Featured image:Ignatius Van Heerden in Birthing Nureyevat The Drama Factory, Strand, Western Cape – April 19 at 19h30 and April 21 at 16h00. Sponsored content.
