THE month begins with veteran journalist and hilarious comedienne Marianne Thamm in her hit show Round Of Applause, South Africa Still Standing, which comes to The Drama Factory hot off its successful local tour, says Sue Diepeveen, founder of The Drama Factory. “We’re honoured to host Marianne for the first time, while having a good laugh at ourselves and celebrating our strengths.
“We are also delighted to present the return of the inimitable and ridiculously talented Rob van Vuuren, this time as his global sensation Namaste Bae, the new age satirical guru we all need in our lives.”
In between these, continues Sue, “we’ve got a fabulous programme with tributes to some of the greatest artists of all time including Rainer Jadischke in his Elton John Tribute and the Gimme Shelter Band in A Night of Rolling Stones Music. Don’t miss brilliant South African artists Rocco de Villiers and Elizabeth Marais, and we round off the month with Oom Schalk & The Sculptor, with David Muller presenting the best of HC Bosman.”
PROGRAMME
- Round of Applause – South Africa Still Standing, 4 and 10 November at 8pm, written, presented, performed, directed by Marianne Thamm and South African politicians and criminals.
Fresh from an extended run at the Baxter Theatre and being voted one of the picks of the Woordfees, make sure you see Round Of Applause, South Africa Still Standing with veteran journalist, Marianne Thamm. We know what went wrong in South Africa during State Capture, we live with it…but what went right? Come celebrate our strengths and our madness. “Wit, intelligence and optimism…Thamm deserves a round of applause for Round Of Applause” – Broadway World.
- Elton John Tribute by Rainer Jadischke, 5 November at 4pm.
Back by popular demand, the highly-acclaimed Elton John Tribute show is a virtuosic celebration of UK music icon, Sir Elton John’s hits, is brought to you by Rainer Jadischke, one of the best Elton John tribute artists in SA Fans can look forward to singing along to the UK pop maestro’s timeless ballads with a hit or two by Billy Joel, Eric Clapton and Bob Seger also featuring.
- Rocco de Villiers in Concert, 11 November at 7.30pm and 12 November at 4pm.
Popular pianist Rocco de Villiers brings a selection of piano originals, accompanied by the stories (sometimes sad and sometimes hilarious) that inspired these pieces. Over decades Rocco developed a style and genre of piano music which is a blend of popular sounds with cinematic qualities. All rooted in a classical style playing, this is a concert that gives insight into the rich world of the piano, pianists and the imagination of the “other” child at school in a small town, growing up in the platteland during the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.
- A Night of Rolling Stones Music – Gimme Shelter Band Unplugged, 16 November at 7.30pm.
The Rolling Stones are the world’s longest-running rock ‘n roll band and arguably one of the most influential bands of all time. Four Cape Town’s top musicians pay homage to the Stones and have been performing to sold-out crowds all over the Western Cape.
- Die Binnelander with Elizabeth Marais, 19 November at 4pm.
Coloratura Soprano Elizabeth Marais’s Die Binnelander showcases the soothing sounds of Only Love to the challenging heights of Koningin van die Nag. The wide variety in the music choices is woven together with a story of love. Her beloved is Fanie Viljoen from Vredendal but her father has other offers and she is sent away overseas where she meets the lazy Frenchman, the militant German as well as lecherous Italian. She begs her father with O Mio Babbino Caro to return to her beloved Fanie.
- Namaste Bae Blessings And Kombucha, performed by Rob van Vuuren, directed by Louw Venter, 24 November at 7.30pm (PG 13).
After wildly successful national and international tours and winning the Gold Standard Bank Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival 2023, Namaste Bae: Blessings And Kombucha is a healing ceremony unlike any you’ve ever experienced, brought to you by the new age satirical guru taking social media by storm.
Some say he was born with a bottle of kombucha in one hand and a yoga mat in the other during a Vedic Shadow Planet eclipse. Some say he takes all the psychedelics so you don’t have to. Some say he is still looking for a ticket to Burning Man. Whatever they say, Namaste Bae is the guru you need and deserve. A self-proclaimed oracle of the Mother Scoby, Namaste Bae will help you find yourself inside yourself and with the power of comedic catharsis he will help you give birth to a better version of yourself. Namaste Bae is the globally viral brainchild of multi-award winning South African comedian and actor Rob van Vuuren, and will provide you with a night of healing hilarity and titillating transcendence you won’t forget.
- Oom Schalk & The Sculptor, David Muller joined by Johan Steyn, 26 November at 4pm.
Directed by the inimitable Celia Musikanth, Oom Schalk is Bosman at his best. David Muller explains, “Imagine sitting under a withaak tree in the bushveld while listening to these stories. Bosman was Afrikaans-speaking but he wrote in English. His work was universal.”
Muller began his Bosman journey with his sold out premiere at the Masque theatre and attends the Bosman Weekend in Groot Marico. He enjoys top billing there and combines this with a tour of the small theatres dotted around southern Africa. Joined by sculptor Johan Steyn and together they weave stories we know and love.
Bookings for all shows can be here, or call 073 215 2290.
