Theatre news: Comedy, music and Every Brilliant Thing for The Drama Factory in March 2024

The Drama Factory line-up for March 2024 includes the brilliant, Every Brilliant Thing, directed by Jeff Brooker. I saw this comedy-drama last year and for the season at the Drama Factory, it stars Henu Baden, directed by Jeff Brooker who has been nominated for a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award, in the Best New Director category. Here is my review of this outstanding play: https://thecaperobyn.co.za/review-every-brilliant-thing-is-brillant-theatre/ It is a must-see. The Drama Factory March line-up also features music and comedy. Sophie Joans is presenting her new solo clown show, ÜÜÜ, directed by Rob van Vuuren (one performance only, March 23). The Inclusive Arts Festival hosted by Storywood Inclusive Arts is on March 13-20. This is an incredible platform – providing access for all – no matter their challenges.  Read on for more about the brilliant March line-up for the Drama Factory. Info as supplied:

Comedy, music and Every Brilliant Thing for The Drama Factory in March

Enjoy another bumper month of top-quality entertainment at The Drama Factory this March.

There’s a range of wonderful music, comedy from acclaimed performers Sophie Joans, Tobie Cronjé and Ignatius van Heerden, and a return season of the captivating play Every Brilliant Thing.

“Whether you’re moved by rhythm and blues, nostalgic tunes, or reggae and rock ballads, we’ve got some music for you!” says Sue Diepeveen, Founder of The Drama Factory. “We also welcome back Every Brilliant Thing, featuring a new performer, Henu Baden, who was most recently seen on our stage in The Emperor’s New Clothes.”

“Also look out for our first Inclusive Arts Festival hosted by Storywood Inclusive Arts and presented here and at The Playhouse Theatre, Somerset West,” says Sue. “The Festival takes place from 13 to 20 March, presenting a number of theatre productions and arts workshops for audiences with complex needs and their carers. The aim of the festival is to create a safe space for such audiences no matter their specific need and to enable them to partake in arts experiences from which they are often excluded.”

Every Brilliant Thing is a heartwarming, tragic-comic coming-of-age story that celebrates the small but brilliant things that make life worth living for.  It explores the beauty and resilience of the human spirit, placed in an immersive “in-the-round” setting. Broadway World described it as one of the most “electrifying theatre experiences” of 2023. Jeff Brooker has been nominated in the Best New Director category for the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards.

“It’s such a joy to be back at the Drama Factory where the journey with this magical play began. Every Brilliant Thing is such a special production in that you leave with both a big smile on your face and big thoughts in your head. Audiences who saw it previously at the Drama Factory must come again as it is a brand new performer and the show is truly different every night.” says director Jeff Brooker.

The March line-up is:

The Rockettz New Generation Present “A harmonious blend of past & present”
March 1 and 2 at 19h30

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.

Every Brilliant Thing

Starring Henu Baden / Directed by Jeff Brooker/Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe

March 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16 at 20h00

March 9 at 15h00

March 17 at 18h00
Tickets cost R185 / R155

Jeff Brooker Productions brings us Macmillan’s celebrated play Every Brilliant Thing.  A young boy creates a list of every brilliant thing in the world to help his mother battle depression and suicide. It starts with simple pleasures like ice cream, water fights, and staying up past bedtime to watch TV, and later becomes quirky items like old people holding hands. As he matures, so does the list, transforming into a touching testament to the power of positivity in adversity.

The one-man show is brought to life by the talented performer Henu Baden and directed by Jeff Brooker. It unfolds in an intimate, immersive “in-the-round” setting. Audience members are invited to participate in the recitation of items on the list, creating a shared and deeply emotional experience. “Every Brilliant Thing” will have you laughing until tears stream down your cheeks, and crying until you realize that a smile should be your response to life’s challenges.

Warning: Every Brilliant Thing discusses depression and suicide.

March 13-20

Inclusive Arts Festival hosted by Storywood Inclusive Arts

Theatre productions and arts workshops for audiences with complex needs and their carers. The aim of the festival is to create a safe space for such audiences no matter their specific need and to enable them to partake in arts experiences from which they are often excluded.

ÜÜÜ

Written & Performed by Sophie Joans / Directed by Rob Van Vuuren
March 23 at 20h00

Tickets cost R180 / R120

And now, for something completely different! Or not. Following the success of her first solo clown show, AÏo, Sophie Joans has a new offering: ÜÜÜ (pronounced OOOOOO). A clown and an accordion. Paper planes. Too little. Too late. What are you waiting for?

In this new solo piece, Joans teams up with Rob Van Vuuren again, who directed her smash-hit solo show, ÎLE, which had toured nationally and internationally, scoping up nominations and awards for Best Performer and Best Script alike.

Il Mondo

Selim Kagee
March 24 at 16h00

Tickets cost R180 / R160

For one performance only, join Selim Kagee on a nostalgic journey through time with Il Mondo.  Experience classic tunes performed by Selim’s velvety voice and captivating stage presence. Delight in anecdotes from his life and global travels, while he serenades you with beloved classics like “Il Mondo” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Classic Feel Magazine hails Selim as a proudly South African talent, comparable to Bocelli, Groban, Pavarotti, and Bublé.

Jou Ma Se Platespeler

Kristo Zondagh, Kerry Hiles en Rob Thompson
March 26 at 19h30

Tickets cost R200 / R180

Daar is niks wat ‘n kultuur meer bind as ‘n goeie rugbywedstryd nie, behalwe sy musiek, en in Jou Ma Se … Platespeler kyk ons na Afrikaanse musiek teen die agtergrond van veranderende tegnologie, van “seven singles” tot streaming en alles tussenin, asook die veranderinge in ons land. Sluit aan by Kristo Zondagh, Kerry Hiles en Rob Thompson in ‘n twee-uur lange viering van SA se bestes by die Drama Factory voordat hulle hierdie vertoning op die pad na venues landwyd neem.

My Story With The Blues

Blues guitarist aficionado, Rob Thompson, supported by Kerry Hiles on bass and Kristo Zondagh on drums
March 27 at 19h30 R200 / R180

My Story with the Blues relays blues guitarist aficionado Rob Thompson’s personal journey in discovering this enigmatic movement in music. Covering Latin influences like Carlos Santana, the Story delves deeper with artist such as B.B. King and Little Walter, to more contemporary artists like Dan Patlansky and original compositions.

Hans gee Herklaas horings

Met Tobie Cronjé en Ignatius van Heerden / REGIE Tobie Cronjé/ TEKS Rudie van Rensburg / Beligtingsontwerp, tegniese versorging EN KOSTUUMONTWERP Hollywood Costumes / KLANKBAAN Wesley West /VERVAARDIGER Leftfoot Theatre Productions

March 31 at 16h00 and April 1 at 11am

RSG-luisteraars het vasgenael voor die radio gesit en luister hoe Tobie Cronjé lewe gee aan Rudie van Rensburg se karakters in die Hans-boeke. Tobie was ook te sien in die rolprentweergawe van Hans steek die Rubicon oor.  Teatergehore kry nou die geleentheid om Tobie in lewende lywe op die verhoog te ervaar in ’n gedramatiseerde voorlesing en verwerking van Hans gee vir Herklaas horings. Ignatius van Heerden voorsien die radiobyklanke en beloof om gehore te laat skaterlag.

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.

✳ Featured image – Sophie Joans is presenting her solo clown show, ÜÜÜ, at the Drama Factory, March 23, 2024. It is directed by Rob van Vuuren. Pic by Nardus Engelbrecht. Supplied. Sponsored content.