The Baxter's festive season programme

Attendees may expect music, comedy, drama, romance and family entertainment from various well known performers, including Pieter-Dirk Uys, Alistair Izobell, Nik Rabinowitz, Ameera Patel and Jaques de Silva.

Pieter Dirk Uys - The Echo of a Noise

Pieter Dirk Uys, having performed on stages all over the world for well over seven thousand times, brings his one-man memoir, The Echo of a Noise, to the Baxter, and it is running until 17 December. With such extensive experience, the theatre legend has learnt that every show is the first and the last performance - because each audience demands and gets a different energy, topicality and excitement. In this, his 70th year, Dirk Uys doesn’t glance back at the successes and failures that have strengthened his belief in a constant improvement of his work, but rather, reflects on those small signposts that throughout his life subconsciously pointed him in a right and original direction.

“I tell the story behind the stories. Turning 70 has given me the thumbs-up to share the secrets and let the cat out of the bag,” says Uys.

Alistair Izobell - Kaapse Jol

Alistair Izobell and the dynamic cast of his latest production Kaapse Jol celebrate the music, history and places of the Mother City, in the Baxter Concert Hall, until 14 January 2017. Together they celebrate the story of Cape Town’s sounds, from the indigenous sounds of the Khoi people to the Malay and Dutch influences that make up the rich tapestry of local music.

Kaapse Jol - Image by JP Crouch

Izobell’s cast comprises himself, Nur Abrahams, Sasha Lee Davids, Madeegha Anders, Abduragiem Vardien and Ashtevann Mintoor. Under the musical directorship of Donveno Prins, the band is made up of Prins, Franco Mannel (bass guitar), Grandall Vlotman (keyboards), Yvan Potts (keyboards), Keith De Bruyn (drums), Jason Ward (percussion), Tyrone Marinus (guitar) and Robin Fassie (trumpet).

Nik Rabinowitz - Fortyfied

Nik Rabinowitz’s brand new comedy show, Fortyfied, now on at the Baxter Theatre until 14 January, is a barrel of real life laughs which many people can identify with. Is the title of this new show a pun or maybe a spelling error? Well that depends on your worldview.

Rabinowitz has just turned 40 and is on the verge of a midlife crisis. Except that, apparently 40 is the new 30, so now he’s not sure when to have the crisis, which is a crisis in itself. He’s also just had a third baby - so really, he can’t have a midlife crisis - there’s no time! Sounds like fun yes?

Nik Rabinowitz - Fortyfied

In the meantime, while he’s figuring all this out, he’s decided that instead of buying a Ferrari and abandoning his family, he’s going to put on another one man show – and this it, Fortyfied. There will be stories, there will be moments of discomfort, there will be accents and above all, there will lots of laughter.

Whistle Stop

Love is in the air with the comedic Whistle Stop, running for a short season only, from 20 December to 7 January, in the Baxter’s Golden Arrow Studio. A man, a woman, a bench and all the hidden thoughts that we think and never allow ourselves to say... if you have ever fallen in or out of, or even around love, this quirky and funny two-hander that travels beyond the present moment, is perfect summer entertainment.

Winner of a Standard Bank Silver Ovation award and a PANSA New Writer’s Award, this is a love story like no other. Whistle Stop, directed by Frances Slabolepszy, features Ameera Patel and Jaques de Silva and is produced by Hijinks Theatre in collaboration with Dark Laugh Theatre Company.

Whistle Stop - Image by Natasha Brown

New Year’s Eve celebrations

The New Year’s Eve party takes place after the performances on 31 December, when audiences will converge on the Baxter’s foyers to sing, dance and party into the new year with some of their favourite stars. All the shows will start later on the night and ticket prices will be varied to include the show, a complimentary glass of bubbly or orange juice and the traditional balloon drop. There will also be a live band under the musical directorship of Camillo Lombard. Light meals will be on sale.

Booking for any of the shows and the New Year’s Eve party is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.

For discounted corporate or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or email az.ca.tcu@draw.norahs or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email her at az.ca.tcu@snraek.nemrac during office hours.