Musical hit: Calling me home

The South African musical Calling me home interweaves a story of heartbreak and hope to deliver a message with universal appeal.

Classically trained soprano Lynell Kenned plays the lead character, Grace, who flees her unnamed African village due to a civil war seeking refuge in an unnamed American city. It is in this foreign city that she falls in love with Raphael (Anthony Downing) and discovers what home really means. Kenned’s superstar voice captivates from beginning to end.

During her cross-continental journey, Grace meets Lindiwe played by the powerhouse Freshly Ground vocalist, Zolani Mahola. Lindiwe is fleeing abuse and patriarchy and is filled with defiant hope in the big new city. 

Mahola delivers a spectacular performance in her musical theatre debut the only drawback is that we do not get to experience more of her incredible voice during the production (perhaps something the director can work in as the show progresses?).

 

I interviewed Zolani Mahola on my show at Radio Today, listen to the podcast below. 

Grace and Lindiwe meet dangerous, enticing and colourful characters in the bustling city, including Isabella (Samantha Peo), Raphael’s sister, who is addicted to not only drugs but seemingly abuse too. Peo delivers a stirring performance as the devastated Isabella.

The show opened to mixed reviews on debut at Joburg Theatre on 17 August, I thought it was an incredible production albeit slightly too long. With a few tweaks Calling me home, created by Alice Gillham and directed by Magdalene Minnaar, is destined for success on international stages.

Reasons to see Calling me home:

-    The 3D set design and original musical compositions are outstanding and take the audience on an authentic journey with ease and poise.

-    Talented cast of 33 with stellar vocals by; Lynell Kenned, Zolani Mahola, Samantha Peo, Anthony Downing, Michael McMeeking and many more.

Podcast: Interview with Freshly Ground's Zolani Mahola

NOTE:

*Calling me home is now on at Joburg Theatre until 3 September.

*Ticket prices range from R180 – R420: www.joburgtheatre.com or 0861 670 670.

*The duration of the show is 2 hours 20 minutes excluding interval.
*There is an age restriction of 12 due to the sensitive nature of some of the themes.

Ready to Keep Up With The Kandasamys

I'm looking forward to the premiere of this movie in Jozi, it promises to be loads of laughs. You can catch it at one of the exclusive screenings at selected Ster-Kinekor cinemas around the country on Sunday, 26 February 2017 or wait for the release in cinemas on 3 March.

Set in Chatsworth, the film opens a window into the lifestyle and subculture of modern-day Indian South Africans; their aspirations, dreams and challenges.  The film stars Jailoshini Naidoo (Eastern Mosaic, Lotus FM) and Maeshni Naicker (Broken Promises) as the matriarchal rivals of neighbouring families, whose young adult children become romantically involved, and despite their best efforts to keep them apart, they are forced to acknowledge that love will always prevail.

When Jennifer (Naidoo) realises her beautiful tomboy daughter, Jodi (Mishqah Parthiephal), is in love with Shanti’s (Naicker) son Prishen (Madhushan Singh), she is determined to break them up.  But in order to do that she will have to enlist her rival’s help.

This light-hearted and entertaining story is supported by an array of colourful characters that celebrate the rich and spicy way of life in Durban including South African theatre actor/playwright/director, Rajesh Gopie; comedian Koobeshen Naidoo; Neil Govender and Mariam Bassa who plays Jennifer’s elderly, no-nonsense, ever-critical mother-in-law.

“This film has something for everyone.  The universal story of neighbourhood rivalry, our desperate need for acceptance and the climb for perceived societal success, is something which touches everyone the world over.  At the end of the day, we can all recognise our quirks and weaknesses and the funny side of the weird, wonderful and strangely competitive world we live,” comments Moodley.

The film was produced in association with M-Net, the DTI, NFVF and the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission and is distributed by Ster-Kinekor Entertainment.  KEEPING UP WITH THE KANDASAMYS will be officially released in cinemas nationwide on March 3, 2017.

Tickets for the 12h00 and 14h00 PREVIEW shows on February 26, can be purchased via the Ster-Kinekor website or at the following theatres: Arcades (Zambia), Brooklyn (Pretoria), Carnival City (East Rand), Cavendish (Cape Town), Forest Hill (Pretoria), Gateway (Durban), Mall of Africa (Midrand), Musgrave (Durban), Newtown (Johannesburg), The Zone @ Rosebank (Johannesburg), Sandton (Johannesburg).

View the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV6ZWNmRpqI

A wonderland of lights

An acre of festive ornaments and 22km of twinkling fairy lights is not what you would expect to find atop the massive Mall of Africa at Waterfall park, however, until 24 December a wonderland of festive lights is exactly what you will discover on the mall’s rooftop. 

The Fantasy of Light, the secret castle pantomime sees the amphitheatre transformed into a scene straight out of a fairy-tale. After marvelling at the artistically strung 160m waterfall of cascading lights, the kids (and young at heart) will be entertained by the 70-minute pantomime. There are food, sweets and non-alcoholic drinks stalls available.

The best time to get there is just after sunset, of course. Secure parking is available and tickets will be exchanged for different dates in the case of bad weather. 

Tickets can be booked through Computicket at R120 per adult entry, while kids under eighteen years of age and seniors pay R80. The park opens at 6pm.

Some of the high-lights 😊

You’re never too old to be dazzled by lights. 

Response to fee announcement

Wits Convocation Executive Committee Statement on Fee Announcement and Student Reaction

1. We understand the undesirable implications that the commodification of knowledge and rendering students as consumers have for education especially for an economy such as ours.
2. We recognise that broader socioeconomic issues impacting on the ability of some students to afford fees are valid and must be addressed.
3. We recognise the right of students to protest, but not by violating the rights of others.
4. We call on government to engage with the private sector and universities to establish a sustainable funding model.
5. We call on Universities South Africa and Vice-Chancellors to engage with all student formations and political parties to agree on acceptable modes of protest, demilitarisation of universities and in return for which there will be no private security and we can collectively and collaboratively make our universities safe places conducive for learning.
6. We unequivocally and strongly condemn any violent actions on campus, including blocking entry and disruption of the academic program and support disciplinary action against perpetrators of violence.
7. It is critical that we ensure universities continue unhindered with the academic program while the leadership of students and universities engage on a way forward on the fees issue.

Professor Kgethi Phakeng
President of Convocation
Issued on behalf of the Executive Committee of Convocation
20 September 2016

Bollywood to dazzle in Sandton

From 2-4 December the Sandton Convention Centre will be awash with Bollywood colour, taste and flavour when the annual Blu Blood Bollywood experience is hosted in Sandton for the first time.

Design, décor and fashion will be showcased at the Mela (shopping festival or gathering - for those of you who were about to google), which will feature 200 unique exhibitors, a kiddies play centre, music and entertainment each day over the 3-day event. From 9am to 9pm every day, there promises to be something for the whole family to enjoy. 

Highlights of the cultural extravaganza include:

3 December 2016 -- Catch South Africa’s Indian comedians in Kings & Queens of Comedy And All’.  The royal line-up includes Riaad Moosa, Krijay Govender, Simmi Arreff and Leeanda Reddy.

Atif Aslam

4 December 2016 – Dance the night away with Bollywood music megastars – Sonu Nigam and Atif Aslam live in concert.  Performing all their greatest hits and paying tribute to the music legends of India and Pakistan. They will be accompanied by musicians from India and Pakistan as well as an international dance troupe. 

Sonu Nigam

Tickets are available for Sonu Nigam and Atif Aslam from Computicket and Shoprite Checkers outlets. Tickets range from R250 to R5000 with room packages at Tsogo Sun’s range of hotels available. Tickets for the Blu Blood Bollywood Experience will be open to the public shortly.

For general enquiries about the event, please email info@blublood.com