DIM-DEP: Faces of Environmental Success, a new South African musical with a strong environmental and heritage theme, will be staged in the Playhouse Loft Theatre in Durban from July 2 to 5.

The title is inspired by the sound produced by beating an African drum, especially with hands. It is also an abbreviation of Drum and Indigenous Music Development Project — an ongoing initiative run by Atlas Philani Duma’s Sagiya Productions.

Starring Nonkululeko Mchunu, Cherise Hlengiwe Filen, Ntokozo Ngcobo and Lee Ngamlana, with music by Duma, Smanga DJ Sweet Bhengu and Thonbani Mbatha, this musical is classic “edutainment” — an engaging story with a strong environmental message.

The story, crafted through a blend of dialogue, poetry, music, dramatic prose and monologues, is told over two time periods: contemporary urban and Stone Age

The narrators are two women, Sindy and Mpume, who meet in the rainforest near the Drakensberg mountains. Through flashbacks they reflect on the life of early men and women living in the mountains.

The story talks to responsible, environmentally-aware living, reminding audiences of the need to be self-sufficient, nurture the environment, minimize pollution, limit use of power and look back to age-old skills such as agriculture, responsible use of animal products and environmental sustainability.

“The story is a reminder to us all to take care of the environment,” says Duma. “We are reminded that we cannot survive on digital devises alone! Other issues which are touched on, include awareness in cultural development and our rich heritage.”

Dim-Dep also features a great musical score comprised of Afro blues, jazz, bebop, pop, maskandi, Afro jazz and house.

Showtimes are 7 pm on July 2, 3 and 4 and 3 pm on July 5.

Tickets are R80 at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers stores and from the Playhouse Company.

IF you are looking for ways to entertain the little ones over the holidays then make a date to see the AUC’s (Actors Unemployed Company) The Pied Piper of Hamelin at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo.

Adapted for the stage from the Robert Browning version of the classic tale by Marc Kay, and directed by Clinton Small, the show captures the very essence of this wonderful story with all the characters from the original story … and a few that aren’t! Performers will race about the stage enacting one of their favourite stories, filled with magic, comedy, shadow puppets, audience interaction… and RATS!

Showtimes are 10 am on June 27 and 30, 2 pm on June 28, 10 am on July 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17 and 18, and at 10 am on July 2, 5, 12, 16 and 19.

After the show, a short workshop will be held as an introduction to Shadow Puppet Theatre (run by the performers, and at no extra cost!)

Snacks and juices are on sale.

Tickets are R60 at Computicket, email roland@stansell.za.net or phone Ailsa at 083 250 2690.

THE Funda Nenja Township Dog Training Initiative will benefit from a special concert featuring seven world-class performers.

Celeste Ntuli hosts the 99% Zulu Comedy Show at the Olive Convention Centre (former Durban Ice Rink) at 8 pm on July 2.
Ntuli is the first ever South African female comic to record a one woman show. Her DVD, Seriously Celeste, is a collection of her performances across the country. Now a full-time stand-up comedian and actress, she has come a long way since she was first discovered by Monwabisi Grootboom in a Durban stand-up comedy audition eight years ago.
Ntuli said she had always been a joker, even at school, so it was no surprise when she decided to pursue comedy as a career instead. “When I saw a poster about a comedy audition, I called the organisers and asked them to give me a chance to show what I could do,” she said.
The 34-year-old was born in Empangeni, but relocated to Durban after finishing high school.
Ntuli is inspired by artists like Monique, who is regarded as America’s funniest woman. “There are very few female stand-up comedians around the world. But Monique is unique and truly funny. I would like to be as successful as she is,” she said.
Tickets start at R180 and can be booked at Computicket and Shoprite and Checkers stores.
There is more comedy in store when The Dingalings present Chops, Choons and Span of Dops 2 at Sibaya’s iZulu Theatre on July 3 and 4. “It is hard to believe that it has been a decade since the Dingalings launched themselves onto the local comedy scene with a refreshing style of comedy that everyone could relate to,” says Belinda Jelf, marketing manager at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom.
“Audiences were nudging each other in agreement while chuckling away at characters they recognised from their own neighbourhoods. Finally, wives had insight into what guys get up to n their ‘boy’s nights out’. We are thrilled to have Dingalings back on our stage with this much-anticipated sequel.”
The show is directed by Yugan Naidoo and features Koobeshen Naidoo, Henry Ramkisoon, Ravi Soobramoney, Melvyn David, Adhir Singh and newcomer Raymond Naidoo.
In Chops, Choons and Span of Dops 2, audiences see the guys go off to celebrate on a boy’s weekend away and as usual things don’t exactly pan out as planned resulting in hilarious consequences.
Tickets cost R120. Book at the Sibaya Box Office and Computicket.