UKZN drama students and performance studies students present ‘De Comlpeat Histry of DBN’ (without the boring bits).
The tongue-in-cheek production is inspired by the Reduced Shakespeare Company and ‘The Compleat Wrks of Wlm Shkspr’. While the historical and hysterical facts are all correct, the plot is wildly imaginative and entertaining.
The production sets out to cover the history of Durban, as well as uncover some facts about the city, which was ‘supposedly’ discovered by Vasco de Gama on Christmas day, who was apparently sailing away from his nagging wife and the insatiable hunger of the taxman.
The show promises historical facts, a look into the past of Durban with the occasional sprinkling of humour over what promises not to turn into a high school history lesson.
The production has been staged in various incarnations before to critical acclaim. This version features a cast of 15 UKZN drama and performance studies students.
The play is dedicated to the late Tiki Nxumalo, who passed away this year and was part of the original cast when the production was first staged at the Catalina Theatre.
School-going drama students will enjoy seeing this production’s interesting performance style, and for history scholars it inspires much conversation. A schools’ performance has been scheduled for Friday, 2 October at 11am – book through Claudette Wagner on 031 260 3134 or wagnerc1@ukzn.ac.za.
Public performances are from Wednesday, 30 September to Saturday, 3 October at 7pm, with matinées on 3 and 4 October at 2pm. The standard ticket price is R60, with students, scholars and pensioners paying R30 on presentation of relevant ID. Advance booking is through Computicket outlets, telephonically on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com. Early booking is advised.
