Theatre manager Clive Rodel looked back over the venue’s 2013 highlights before looking at some of the attractions to show in the first half of the year ahead.
Rodel said he began last year feeling despondent, but by the time 2014 rolled around, his feelings on theatre in Johannesburg had improved immensely.
“I had the sense that theatre-goers in Johannesburg went into hibernation,” he said. “But over last year, I realised there is a growing awareness of alternatives to big, commercial shows.”
Among the theatre’s crowd-pleasers last year were Cat Simone’s From West End to Broadway and Beyond.
Rodel said he took a chance on Simone, a singer new to Joburg.
“She was so impressive. She has subsequently worked at other local theatres and has performed at corporate functions. Simone also returned to Foxwood with a very successful Barbra Streisand show in November last year,” he said.
In April, Rodel’s quest to bring the talents of some of South Africa’s legendary performers to the theatre saw Eddie Eckstein take to the stage in a one-man show, which was followed not long after by broadcasting great Malcolm Gooding’s Going Gooding, which returned for a second run this year.
Rodel said Going Gooding and An Audience with Miss Hobhouse, which played in September, were both National Arts Festival fringe productions.
Another well-received production was Kevin Feather’s Passionate Piaf, which featured Lyn Locketz.
Looking ahead, Rodel said he was excited to announce that Clive Scott will bring his one-man show Warts and All to the theatre in February, and that Afrikaans soap opera actor Erik Holm will appear in a semi-autobiographical play in March.
“In April, the directors and producers of Going Gooding, Tim Sandham and Angus Douglas, will present their new take on Herman Charles Bosman in a piece called Bosman’s Patriots,” he said.
The play will incorporate multimedia elements, including rare video footage.
May will see another Afrikaans production in the form of Gys de Villiers’ Wit Manne se Wapens.
Simone will return to the theatre in June with a “superb” show that will focus on the music of stellar French composer Jacques Brel and singer Francoise Hardy.
“I’m excited about this year. The theatre buzz in Joburg is becoming great again,” said Rodel.
Details: 011 486 0935; www.foxwood.co.za; twitter: @FoxwoodTheatre
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