A star-studded line-up at The Drama Factory in Strand this November kicks off with veteran journalist and acclaimed comedienne Marianne Thamm’s hit show Round of Applause, South Africa Still Standing, which comes to the Helderberg stage on Saturday 4 and Friday 10 November.
Fresh from an extended run at the Baxter Theatre and being voted one of the picks of the Woordfees, locals are implored to see Round of Applause, South Africa Still Standing, in which the associate editor of The Daily Maverick celebrates the strengths and madness of the country’s democracy.
“We’re honoured to host Marianne for the first time, while having a good laugh at ourselves and celebrating our strengths,” says Sue Diepeveen, founder of The Drama Factory.
“We are also delighted to present the return of the inimitable and ridiculously talented Rob van Vuuren, this time as his global sensation Namaste Bae, the new-age satirical guru we all need in our lives!
“In between these we have a fabulous programme, with tributes to some of the greatest artists of all time, including Rainer Jadischke in his Elton John Tribute and the Gimme Shelter Band in A Night of Rolling Stones Music. Don’t miss brilliant South African artists Rocco de Villiers and Elizabeth Marais, and we round the month off with Oom Schalk & The Sculptor with David Muller presenting the best of HC Bosman!”
This month’s line-up comprises:
- Round of Applause, South Africa Still Standing – written, directed and performed by Marianne Thamm
Saturday 4 and Friday 10 November at 20:00
Tickets costs R150.
- Elton John Tribute by Rainer Jadischke
Saturday 5 November at 16:00
Tickets cost R180/R170
Back by popular demand! The highly-acclaimed tribute show is a virtuosic celebration of UK music icon, Sir Elton John and his hit songs brought to audiences by Rainer Jadischke, one of SA’s best Elton John tribute artists. Fans can look forward to singing along to the British pop maestro’s timeless ballads, such as “Rocket Man” and “Like a Candle in the Wind”, as well as a hit or two by Billy Joel, Eric Clapton and Bob Seger.
Rocco de Villiers in Concert
Saturday 11 November at 19:30 and Sunday 12 November at 16:00
Tickets cost R200
Popular pianist Rocco de Villiers brings a selection of piano originals, accompanied by the stories – sometimes sad and sometimes hilarious – that inspired these pieces. Over decades he has developed a style and genre of piano music that is a blend of popular sounds with cinematic qualities. All routed in a classical style playing, this is a concert that gives insight into the rich world of the piano, pianists and the imagination of the “other” child at school in a small town, growing up in the platteland in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
- A Night of Rolling Stones Music – Gimme Shelter Band Unplugged
Thursday 16 November at 19:30
Tickets cost R200
The Rolling Stones are the world’s longest-running rock n roll band and arguably one of the most influential bands of all time. Four of Cape Town’s top musicians pay homage to The Rolling Stones and have been performing to sold-out crowds all over the Western Cape.
The show features well-known musicians Jake Gunn, Ruben Gerryts, Lenny Miskin and Wouter Reyneke. Stones followers can expect to hear all their favourites, such as “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, “Honky Tonk Woman” and “Wild Horses”, and even a few they’ve never heard before.
- Die Binnelander with Elizabeth Marais
Saturday 19 November at 16:00
Tickets cost R120
Coloratura Soprano Elizabeth Marais’ Die Binnelander contains soothing sounds from “Only Love” to the challenging heights of “Koningin van die Nag”. The wide selection of music is intertwined in a story of falling in love. Her lover is Fanie Viljoen from Vredendal, but her father has a different agenda. Sent abroad she meets the slacker Frenchman, the German’s militant witch of a mother; the cantankerous Italian. She begs papa with “O mio babbino caro” to come back to her Fanie.
- Namaste Bae: Blessings and Kombucha – performed by Rob van Vuuren and directed by Louw Venter
Friday 24 November at 19:30
Tickets cost R180/R200
After wildly successful national and international tours and winning the Gold Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2023 National Arts Festival, Namaste Bae: Blessings and Kombucha is coming to the Drama Factory! A healing ceremony unlike any you’ve ever experienced brought to you by the new age satirical guru taking social media by storm. Some say he was born with a bottle of kombucha in one hand and a yoga mat in the other during a Vedic Shadow Planet eclipse. Some say he takes all the psychedelics so you don’t have to. Some say he is still looking for a ticket to Burning Man. Whatever they say, Namaste Bae is the guru you both need and deserve. A self-proclaimed oracle of the Mother Scoby, Namaste Bae will help you find yourself inside yourself and with the power of comedic catharsis he will help you give birth to a better version of yourself. Namaste Bae is the globally viral brainchild of multi-award winning South African comedian and actor Rob van Vuuren, and will provide you with a night of healing hilarity and titillating transcendence you won’t forget!
- Oom Schalk & The Sculptor – David Muller joined by Johan Steyn
Sunday 26 November at 16:00
Directed by the inimitable Celia Musikanth, Oom Schalk, from the heart is Bosman at his best. David Muller explains, “Imagine sitting under a withaak tree in the bushveld while listening to these stories.” “Al was Bosman Afrikaans sprekend, hy het Afrikaans in Engels geskryf. His work was universal.” Muller began his Bosman journey with his sold out premiere at the Masque theatre and attends the Bosman Weekend, Groot Marico. He enjoys top billing there and combines this with a tour of the small theatres dotted around Southern Africa. “Joined by sculptor Johan Steyn, together they weave stories we know and love.”
Bookings for all the shows can be made at www.thedramafactory.co.za or by contacting the theatre venue on 073 215 2290.
With its fully licensed bar and cosy, welcoming atmosphere, The Drama Factory is the perfect venue to enjoy top-quality entertainment with a group of friends or family. The solar-powered invertor ensures the show will always go on, even when there is load-shedding.
Make a staycation of a visit to The Drama Factory, booking in with one of their wonderful accommodation partners. Spend the night at The Views Guesthouse, 185 on Beach or Majorca House to enjoy the beauty and many other activities on offer in the surrounding Helderberg area.
The Drama Factory is situated at 10 Comprop Square, Henry Vos Close, Asla Park, Strand. Parking is available at the venue.
