3 delightful shows to kickstart the year

Theatre-goers are in for a delightful spread of events throughout the year at the KickstArt Theatre, starting with two South African premières of Broadway musicals in the first six months of this year.

Company

First up will be the South African première of Stephen Sondheim’s ground-breaking musical, Company. Never having been presented professionally in South Africa before, this witty, wise, and worldly musical about love and marriage in an urban environment, will be staged at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre for two weeks only from Tuesday to Sunday April 9 to 21. It will be directed by Steven Stead, designed by Greg King, with musical direction by Roland Perold, choreography by Simone Mann, and lighting by Tina le Roux.

Performances are scheduled for 7pm from Tuesday to Saturday, 2.30pm on Saturday, and 4pm on Sunday. Book at Webtickets.

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Following this production will be another musical of a very different kind - the South African première of The Emperor’s New Clothes, in a version of the famous Hans Christian Anderson fairytale by Broadway stalwarts Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. This team was responsible for the delightful musicals Once on this Island and Seussical, as well as Ragtime and Anastasia.

This colourful and entertaining musical, which will delight children and adults alike runs during the July holidays, from Saturday June 15 to Sunday July 7, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.

Puss in Boots

Finally, pantomime lovers are in for a treat at the end of the year with a colourful, riotous bang from Steven Stead’s rollicking panto version of Puss in Boots. Set on an enchanted Caribbean island, the show features sumptuous sets, colourful costumes, song, dance and jokes a-plenty.

Puss in Boots stars Rory Booth in the title role, with William Young as his hapless owner, Tom, Blessing Xaba as Tom’s long-suffering mother, Merry Marzipan, and Lyle Buxton as his meathead of a brother, Tristram.

The production will be directed by Darren King, with designs by Greg King, choreography by Simone Mann and lighting by Tina le Roux.

It will run at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from Thursday December 5 to Thursday December 12, at 2.30pm on weekdays, 11am and 3.30pm on Saturdays, and 2.30pm on Sundays.

Early bird specials are available. Visit www.kickstarttheatre.co.za for more details and to make bookings.