KBT Productions will present three world premières, five new South African productions and nine projects at the National Arts Festival this year.
The company premières Jervis Pennington’s a cappella musical, A Town Called Fokol Lutho directed by multiple award-winning Tara Notcutt; Drive With Me, a new play from writer, director and performer, Megan Furniss, directed by vocal guru and UCT drama lecturer Liz Mills; and a new adaptation of Paul Gallico’s classic novella, The Snow Goose, devised by the stellar team of James Cairns, Taryn Bennett and Jenine Collocott.
In addition, it is staging a new South African production of Bernard Slade’s Broadway hit, Same Time Next Year and Megan Furniss’ new show Song and Dance, directed by Ntombi Makhutshi, of London Road fame. Both of these shows opened recently at Kalk Bay Theatre to great acclaim.
“It is a truly South African year,” says Simon Cooper, producer at KBT Productions. “We are honoured and humbled to work with such outstanding talent to create these new productions. Same Time Next Year and The Snow Goose are projects which have been close to my and Helen’s hearts for many years. With rehearsals in full swing for the other three, which are newer in origin, excitement levels are at equal proportions!”
Drive With Me is the story ofMarion Taylor who is on her way to present her Symbols in Journeys talk at the National Arts Festival’s Think!fest, but her own journey to Grahamstown threatens to disrupt the event. An intriguing, unexpected journey, Drive With Me is a gripping new South African play, and is theatre at its unsettling best. This sees a return of seasoned theatre creator Megan to the stage, under the sharp direction of the revered Liz Mills.
A Town Called Fokol Lutho brings five men and five heavenly, harmonized voices, to a small Karoo town where nothing ever happens and no-one is good at anything except singing and not falling in love. Or is there more? Come dig a little and you’ll find the story of the first heart transplant, the scrum-half standing pass and love-so-amazing in a pitcher of cactus juice in this new musical comedy. Written and composed by Jervis Pennington, who is famous as the lead singer in pop group The Soft Shoes, and directed by Tara Notcutt (Three Little Pigs, Mafeking Road), the stellar cast features Pennington with Carlo Daniels (Kat and The Kings), Moenier Adams (Afrikaaps, Remember The Time, Let’s Mix It), Waasief Piekaan (Wrongly Accused, Vocal is Lekker,) and Jack the Bass aka Nkosekhaya Mgoqi. Design is by Juanita Ferreira.
This adaptation of Paul Gallico's perennial favourite The Snow Goose, has been brought to life by the dream creative team of actors James Cairns (The Three Little Pigs, Sie Weiss Alles, Dirt) and Taryn Bennett (Sie Weiss Alles, Kaput, Frogs) under the direction of Jenine Collocott (Sunday Morning, Dirt, High Diving). On the desolate Essex marshes and against the background of the miracle of Dunkirk, a wounded, storm tossed snow goose brings a young girl, Fritha, and the recluse Philip Rhayader together in a moving story about love and courage.
The new production of Bernard Slade’s Tony-award-winning play, Same Time Next Year, features Binneland and musical theatre star, Paul Du Toit, and Julie Hartley (Noises Off, Lipstick Dipstiek), under the direction of Christopher Weare, who last year was awarded a Fleur du Cap Lifetime Achievement Award. The production has received rave reviews across the board and is a classic love story with a twist. George and Doris fall in love, have an affair but, because they are married to other people, agree to meet at the same hotel, same time, every year, and over twenty four years, realise they are the love of each others’ lives. It is touching, hilarious, witty, compassionate and nostalgic.
Song and Dance is a new South African comedy written by Megan Furniss, directed by Ntombi Makhutshi and featuring rising performers Anele Situlweni, Deon Nebulane and Zondwa Njokweni. Described by the Cape Times as ‘laugh a minute’, it tells the story of two burglars who break into the wrong stylish apartment and things go from unexpected to dangerous faster than a bad audition. Dark, delinquent and deliciously funny.
KBT Productions was established in 2009 to present productions outside of Kalk Bay Theatre, which Simon and Helen Cooper own. The company has produced Rob van Vuuren (Rob van Vuuren is Rob van Vuuren and Strictly Rob and Mary): a run ofJutro at the Baxter; Kaput and Sie Weiss Alles, which won a Standard Bank Silver Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival 2011; as well as the multiple award-winning London Road, which was the top grossing theatre production on the Fringe at the National Arts Festival for three years.
KBT Productions are also presenting Godfrey Johnson in three shows: The Shadow of Brel, Flirting With Coward and Minnie and Johnson with SAMA nominee, Emile Minnie; as well as Helen Brent Cooper’s first solo exhibition, The Red Shoe Diaries.
Bookings for all shows can be made at Computicket.
Production information
Drive With Me – world première
Written by Megan Furniss, performed by Megan Choritz, directed by Liz Mills. Soundscape by James Webb. Multi-media by Sanjin Muftic
Ages: 13+
Venue: NG Kerk Hall
Schedule: 27 June @14h30; 29 June @13h00; 30 June @14h00; 1 July @10h00; 2 July @14h00; 3 July @14h00; 4 July @14h00; 5 July @14h00; 6 July @14h00; 7 July @12h00
Prices: R70/R60/R60. First performance free! (Donations welcome). Performance on 7 July half price
A Town Called Fokol-Lutho – world première
Written and composed by Jervis Pennington and directed by Tara Notcutt. The cast features and Jervis Pennington, Carlo Daniels, Moenier Adams, Waasief Piekaan and Jack the Bass (aka Nkosekhaya Mgoqi). Musical direction by Paul Morrisey. Design byJuanita Ferreira.
Ages: All
Venue: NG Kerk Hall
Schedule: 27 June @16h30; 28 June @16h00; 29 June @17h00; 1 July@16h00; 2 July@16h00; 3 July@16h00; 5 July@16h00; 6 July @ 16h00; 7 July @14h00.
Prices: R70/R60/R60. First performance free (donations welcome!). Performance on 7 July half price.
The Snow Goose
Première of this production. An adaptation of Paul Gallico's classic novella Featuring James Cairns and Taryn Bennett, directed by Jenine Collocott. Masks by Jenine Collocott.
Ages: All
Venue: Drill Hall
Schedule: 27 June to 6 July daily at 20h00
Prices: R70/R60/R60. First performance free! (Donations welcome).
Same Time Next Year
Written by Bernard Slade, directed by Christopher Weare and featuring Paul du Toit and Julie Hartley.
Ages: All
Venue: NG Kerk Hall
Schedule: 27 June @20h30; 28 June@20h30; 30 June @20h30; 2 July @20h30; 3 July @20h30; 4 July @20h30; 5 July @20h30; 6 July @20h30; 7 July @16h00.
Prices: R70/R60 /R60. First performance free (donations welcome!). Performance on 7 July half price
“one of the best shows I've seen.... Don't wait 12 months before you experience it too” Bizcommunity.com
“beautiful....a gem....exceptional...A romantic comedy that warms and charms at every turn.....a definite must see” Monday Missile
“quirky, hilarious and so, so funny....charming....very funny... I can’t imagine anyone not loving, laughing through and enjoying Same Time Next Year.” Megan’s Head
“Die stuk is pittig, romanties, uitstekend aangebied en fyn afgerond. Dis ’n aanwins vir die Kaapse teatertoneel. ...4 sterre”Die Burger
“timeless blend of humour, tenderness and social comment....excellent... This is the stuff of which rewarding theatre is made....4 stars” Cape Argus
“I don’t believe I have ever laughed as often in the theatre as I did at Julie Hartley and Paul du Toit.... manage to switch the mood to produce the requisite lump in the throat and goose bumps” Steve Kretzmann - Artsblog
“...brilliant...delightful... The marriage of Du Toit's meticulous timing and comic precision, and Hartley's natural charm and bubbly persona is a match made in heaven. a date with Same Time Next Year. It's definitely an affair to remember” Artslink
Song and Dance
Written by Megan Choritz, directed by Ntombi Makhutshi and featuring Anele Situlweni, Deon Nebulane and Zondwa Njokweni
Ages: 13+
Venue: NG Kerk Hall
Schedule: 27 June @12h30; 29 June@ 11h00; 30 June@16h00; 1 July @12h00; 3 July @12h00; 4 July@12h00; 5 July @12h00; 6 July@12h00; 7 July@10h00.
Prices: R75/R65/R65. First performance free (donations welcome!). Performance on 7 July half price.
“Thoughtful, creative and funny... A very ‘South African’ piece, it nonetheless has the potential to cross international borders just as easily as it crosses race and language boundaries. This is a show that will appeal to everyone.”Whatsonincapetown.com / Artslink
“..an impressive ensemble... will keep you laughing long after the inevitable rousing applause” Monday Missile
“laugh a minute...botched crime will have you in stitches...” Cape Times
“the jokes come fast...it’s a well-spent hour” Cape Argus
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