The Kalk Bay Theatre | Megan's Head

Lekker Rob van Vuuren

On February 7, 2011

In Cape Town, show reviews, theatre stuff

My first visit this year to my favourite Kalk Bay Theatre was last night to see Rob van Vuuren. He is working on a new show, and new material to put in a new show, and he is trying it out on and for an audience there on Sunday nights in Feb.

There is no stuff; no set, lights, costume, no ‘show’ really, as Rob came on, dragging a chair from upstairs (which he didn’t even use). Wait, maybe that was intended to create that ‘no show’ feeling on purpose? Hmmm. Anyway, Rob introduces himself (and last night he introduced his whole family, who were there, including Bijou, the smallest show stealer and daughter and proud making dad machine), and then he tries out some stuff. And he is pretty hilarious. Very hilarious actually.

I am not going to crit the show; mainly because of how Rob feels about critics, and I just can’t get the image of the virtually retarded newspaper critic, rolling eyes, licking lips and drawing lines on a very small piece of imaginary paper, out of my mind. But I am going to say some stuff about it and hope that he isn’t going to rip me off too badly when I’m not there! (Zane, you don’t know what you missed; it was a challenge bru!)

Rob is a million different kinds of performer on stage; moving in and out of styles, voices and faces, from moment to moment. Natural guy having a chat, mad manic Jim Carey face, actor, stand-up, joker, physical performer, audience slayer, improviser. He is brash, gentle, loving, over the top, full of swearing, mad, shouty, rude, personal, intense, and most importantly kak funny.

Not all his material works or is developed, but that’s the whole point of the exercise. To see what does and doesn’t. And that’s part of the fun; being the guinea pigs. The problem is going to be who to listen to about what to keep and what to throw out. Big Friendly and I couldn’t agree on stuff all the way home last night. But hey, this is my blog, so I get to say what I like. Big Friendly loved the sperm stuff. Not so much me. I loved the dog stuff, a lot. I loved the actor stuff; particularly the german ad director. I loved the last pathetic joke about the huge gollum toenail on the airplane. And I loved Mal and his whole family, but I don’t know if Rob will ever get them back.

If you find yourself wanting to end the weekend with a big smile on your face (and/or his face), go check Rob out this month every Sunday. Call the Kalk Bay Theatre booking line 0732205430 to book.

PS. He looks nothing like that funny pic when he does this thing!

Good Will Acting and the play paranoias.

By megan

On November 20, 2010

In Cape Town, deeply personal, me on stage, theatre stuff

All of a sudden the reality has hit. We are opening a show the week after next. Good Will Acting at The Kalk Bay Theatre. Official opening the 4th of December with two low price previews on the 2nd and 3rd. OMG!

There is no doubt that I am a leetle (a lot actually) hysterical. But I’m also very excited. I am working with a super talented cast, and even though we really, really have very little time, I think we can do it.

The whole process has been very special. No budget. No script. No time. Yet, this group has talent, commitment, enthusiasm and creativity. Every day I am completely panicked and paranoid before I meet the cast, and then I leave rehearsals completely inspired (and hysterical, but mostly, inspired).

Today I meet Helen Cooper, who is helping us with design, costumes, props and look and feel. The fabulous Christine Skinner is already publicising Good Will Acting up a storm. ADT have bought a slot of Shameless Product Placement and we are going to advertise them nightly in the show. It’s all happening!!!

Shameless Product Placement

By megan

On November 8, 2010

In Cape Town, inspiration, just funny stuff, theatre stuff

Here is a copy of a press release I am busy putting out.

Shameless Product Placement opportunity In Good Will Acting

Good Will Acting is a Christmas show being put on at The Kalk Bay Theatre from the 4^th to the 31 December, running from Wednesdays to Saturdays (not including Christmas day). It stars Anele Situlweni, Daneel van der Walt, Larissa Hughes and Ntombi Makhutshi and is directed by Megan Choritz, with lots of advice, help and instruction from Helen Cooper.

The story of how Good Will Acting came about is amazing. A group of actors were contracted to perform an industrial theatre road show and they fell in love with each other (and their director). The director (me, Megan Choritz) made the cast an offer they couldnâ€™t refuse; the chance to workshop, create and perform in a Christmas show, with no budget, no script, no venue, no set or costumes, only good ideas and plenty of enthusiasm. Four out of the five cast members agreed! (The fifth had other gigs and paying performances, we were told.)

Suddenly, the universe provided and a previously booked slot at The Kalk Bay Theatre became available. What had been a whimsical fantasy became a bold and terrifying reality.

We are on page 9 of writing the script. It is hilarious. It is going to be an Activity play, because Ras the Rasta says Nativity is too negative. Libertina X doesnâ€™t give a shit what itâ€™s called as long as her honours in theatre making skills are shown off in such a way that it guarantees proper theatre work soon. Tabatha is fully alive to the process of acting; LRA, Listen, Respond, Act, and Marlene just wants to do anything that will help her not go and waitress at the Apache Spur in Strand Street. The choreography, songs and most of the story of the birth of Christ will be borrowed from other productions and stolen from other creative sources.

As much of the industrial theatre set and props as is possible will be re-purposed for Good Will Acting but we do need some money, to maybe make a poster and flyers, or to cover transport costs and things. Which is where you come into the picture. We are offering Shameless Product Placement in the show, regardless of the product, its uses or its target market. Let Good Will Acting advertise for you, whoever you are. Do you want to sell hand-made Christmas gifts? Are you the marketing manager for Red Bull? Does Vodacom need a bit of a plug? We are literally selling four Shameless Product Placement slots in the show. Your product or service will be mentioned every night for the duration of the run for the ridiculous price of R1000. *Special discounts will be given for products that are red, white, and/or blue (blue is the new green this Christmas, because those are the corporate colours from the Industrial theatre job).

Weâ€™d love to include you in Good Will Acting. And you can help us make it happen. Call, sms, facebook, email or even twitter me. Or leave a message for me here on megan’s head. *I forgot to mention that small donations for mentions on our (still imaginary) programme will be gratefully received.

Songs (and stories) of Joy

By megan

On October 22, 2010

In Cape Town, me on stage, theatre stuff

We got together today to carry on with the creation of our end of year Christmas show. There is no doubt about it happening since Simon from The Kalk Bay Theatre announced it to the opening night audience of I, Claudia on Wednesday night!

So we met this morning. What delight. What silly, delicious, hilarious, spontaneous joy. During the week, while I was away from the cast, I had moments of panic and doubt. What were we actually going to do? How were we going to turn this whimsical fantasy into a flesh and bones production, with a story, characters, plot, songs, action, a set? What were we thinking?

Before you could say brainstorm the crazy ideas were flowing. The jokes, the moments, the songs, the possibilities, the characters; we threw them into the pot and started mixing. We laughed our heads off. We tossed things backwards and forwards, and after three hours we left with a really not half-bad structure.

I’m not going to give any clues away other than saying that it is totally ‘season appropriate’, and we are calling it Good Will Acting. I am going to say that I think it is going to be high larious (thanks Claudia), and heartwarming, and fun. Watch this space. And then come and watch it.

The Deep Creative relief of I, Claudia

By megan

On October 21, 2010

In Cape Town, show reviews

Aaaaah! Everyone knows I’ve been in a theatre funk lately, with the last few things I’ve seen not taking me to the good theatre space of wanting to rush out and force everyone I know to go and see the play, but last night changed things back for me.

On our way to The Kalk Bay Theatre Big Friendly said his wish for the night was good snacks (The Kalk Bay Theatre puts on a very sexy, jolly pre-show opening night snack and hang out), and a short play (we had both been up since the crack of dawn.) He asked me what I wanted from the night and I said “transformation”. I am delighted to report that we both got our wishes, in spades.

Now, first up I must confess to this being the first time I have seen I, Claudia even though it has been on twice in Grahamstown and at least one other time in Cape Town. Susan Danford performs, Lara Bye directs this one-hander written by Kristen Thomson.

It’s a tiny story of a young girl managing her puberty, the separation of her parents and her father’s new relationship, the death of her pets, school and all the thoughts and crazinesses of bursting out of your emotional and hormonal skin. It’s told through Claudia’s, the school janitor’s, her father’s fiance’s and her grandfather’s voices. And it is totally engaging, hilarious, moving, and magical.

Susan Danford is amazing. Because she is working with masks (that are fantastic by the way, and made by Melani-Rene Louwrens) you forget that it is beautiful Susan in there. She totally becomes the characters, especially Claudia, in the deepest possible way, removing herself from them almost entirely, and giving them new life, which radiates through every finger tip and through the holes where we can see shining eyes. She, Lara Bye and the production team have done an awesome job.

I was mesmerised throughout. I was transfixed. and I was transformed. Take my word for it. Beautiful, magical, moving theatre. On for another two weeks at The Kalk Bay Theatre.

Edit! Next four weeks! No excuses not to see it.

A christmas surprise

By megan

On October 13, 2010

In Cape Town, inspiration, theatre stuff, world of work

I am bursting with excitement. Listen to this. I am even going to write it as a story.

Four weeks ago five actors and a director got together to start rehearsals for an industrial theatre roadshow. From the first moment everybody realised that it was a magical combination of people whose collective energy was greater than the individual parts. Everybody really enjoyed each other and delighted in each other’s performances. Rehearsals were fun and easy. Characters and moments sparked and developed. And the director had one of those totally crazy ideas! She thought, “What if this group of people were available and interested in working together more? What if all of them wanted to put on a show at the end of the year, and, once the industrial theatre show was up and running, would be willing to rehearse this show?” She exploded these ideas onto the cast who couldn’t believe what a fantastic idea it was. And her brain started working overtime. Where? How? What? Who? She had a ‘do I dare try this?’ moment, before phoning her favourite theatre owner and one of her bfs to bounce the idea off and on him. And then, the universe played with. In a schedule of shows, a gap opened up, starting on the 4th of December and ending on New Year’s Eve. Could you believe it?

So, on Monday morning this group of theatricals will get together again and start making a show. Loudly. And with energy. And everybody who is in Cape Town will be able to come and see it. At The Kalk Bay Theatre. A dream coming true!

Edit: It gets better! The fabulous choreographer Fiona du Plooy has offered to whip the dance moves in and out of the cast. Just like the Castle lite ad. How sexy and hip?

Megan's Head

A place where Megan gets off her head.

Tag: The Kalk Bay Theatre (Page 3 of 5)

Lekker Rob van Vuuren

Good Will Acting and the play paranoias.

Shameless Product Placement

Songs (and stories) of Joy

The Deep Creative relief of I, Claudia

A christmas surprise

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