Cool down this spring with these hot theatre shows

There’s an urban myth (that is factually somewhat true) about New York City. The myth is that the cost of living is so high in the city that going to a movie and having popcorn and a drink is actually cheaper than living in the big apple for three hours.

Essentially the theory is that during the time you’re in the cinema your financial clock stops in terms of spending money on transport, entertainment, food, drink and electricity.

Considering how hot it is and how expensive air conditioning at home can be, perhaps the South African equivalent is heading straight to the theatre.

While it may be hot under stage lights for performers, these hallowed halls of creative buzz are always crisp for audiences thanks to cool air circulation, and, this spring, hot productions.

Here’s a city guide to everything you need to go watch, and cool down at the same time – the ultimate summer two for one.

Cape Town

The Three Little Pigs. Picture: Pat Bromilow-Downing

Screw big theatres, at Gate 69 the tradition of dinner theatre is alive and killing the competition (at least in terms of presenting entertainment that is not meant for the whole family).

As we head into pantomime season, Gate 69 is the ultimate middle finger to that.

Currently you can go watch Three Blind Mice. Join SA’s favourite drag queen Cathy Specific in this nod to adult cabaret with a South African twist. Considering the previous production of The Three Little Pigs you can expect something lively, rowdy, sexy and above all very, very funny.

• Tickets (including dinner) start at R520. For more information visit Gate69

Durban

Whether you go for the joy of something completely amateur or scouting new talent, the third Community Arts Festival is currently the centre of arts in Durban.

The festival, hosted at The Playhouse Theatre, is a melting pot of arts and SA’s cross-cultural identity. And there’s so much going on. From talks to shows, there is something for everyone. And the best news is – all of it is absolutely free.

• For more information visit  The Playhouse Company

Pretoria

Brooke Lynn Hytes. Picture: VH1

Okay, so Centurion’s notorious bar brawl palace Platteland doesn’t seem like the sort of place a drag queen will let her hair down. Until last month, when American drag queen Detox made the stage her home.

As part of Johannesburg Pride, season 11 contestant and runner-up on RuPaul’s Drag Race Brooke Lynn Hytes will take over the stage for her brand of dancetastic drag. It’s a show not to be missed.

• There’s one show on October 25. For more information visit Howler

Johannesburg

Dark Cell. Picture: Supplied

POPArt Theatre in Maboneng has become a playground for those above casual theatre shows. Here shows are usually hyperlocal, hyper-enigmatic and always slick. For a small theatre space, that’s saying something.

For a raw, stripped-down work look no further than Dark Cell being staged at the theatre from October 17. Dark Cell (Duet) features two Standard Bank Young Artist Award recipients for dance, Themba Mbuli and Fana Tshabalala with Thulani Chauke.

While the work is celebrating and commemorating the rich history of Kliptown in Soweto where the adaptation of Freedom Charter was made 64 years ago, the piece is also embedded in the past as a mirror of contemporary society and reflection of post-colonial identity.

Dark Cell draws its inspiration and metaphors from historical living condition of political prisoners in Robben Island parallel to the imagery of the current degrading living conditions that people of Kliptown are faced with.

• It’s on at POPArt Theatre from October 17 to 20. Tickets start at R100. For more information visit POPArt Centre

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