Invitation to the school of laughter
HOUGHTON - THE Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre invites you to enjoy an acclaimed school-day comedy featuring Neil Jardine.
Headmaster, Headmaster is a one-man comedy fresh from full-house performances on the Fringe at the Grahamstown National Festival of the Arts, as well as at the local Foxwood Theatre. It tells the tale of a secondary school headmaster as he deals with the day-to-day challenges and frustrations of his job.
Jardine’s character is both cynical and serious about his profession which he approaches with a satirical sense of humour. He pricks bubbles of self-importance, and assails, with enthusiasm, all those who make fatuous claims on and comments about education.
Jardine himself is perfectly qualified to take on this archetypal and comedic role, having been involved in education his whole life, as founder-headmaster of both Marlborough High School in Zimbabwe and Grayston Preparatory in Sandton, as well as rector of
Michaelhouse, KwaZulu-Natal and headmaster of Grahamstown’s Kingswood College and the International School of South Africa, Mahikeng.
Beyond education, Jardine’s interests revolve around the arts. He is a painter, pianist, composer, writer and public speaker, and has successfully staged several of his own productions. His play Colour The Rabbits Blue won the inaugural Play Of The Year Competition in then-Rhodesia and was performed in three countries; while three of his other works have been staged at the National Festival of the Arts in Grahamstown.
An all-rounder, Jardine also captained Rhodes University at rugby, cricket and golf, and played three international matches for the Rhodesian Rugby Team.
Jardine’s performance in this latest witty piece has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. Cue praised Jardine’s “virtuoso performance”; while KM Cue On Line wrote, “This lighthearted one-man show strikes a nostalgic chord in anyone who has been through the schooling system. A well-polished, impressive and humorous performance.”
According to audience members, meanwhile, this is a play that will change your view of education, providing a “deep message… under the many, many laughs”.
Details: 22 February, 7.30pm; Clive M Beck Auditorium, RCHCC, corner Glenhove Road and 4th Street, Houghton; Hazel or René 011 728 8088/8378; 011 728 8378; rchcc@telkomsa.net or rene.s@telkomsa.net; www.greatpark.co.za
