Dear KickstArt Theatre fans, 

At last the time of year approaches for family fun and frolic! And what makes the Christmas Season in Durban even more feel-good and festive? The annual KickstArt pantomime! With all its popular songs, extravagant sets, sumptuous costumes and rib-tickling humour, it is as a guaranteed uplifting bonding experience for the WHOLE family.

This year, we proudly present our very own swashbuckling version of the classic fairy tale “Puss in Boots”, featuring an all-star cast of highly experienced panto performers. Starring the charming and charismatic Rory Booth in the title role, we also happily welcome back panto stalwarts Bryan Hiles (as Puss’s hapless surfer-dude owner, Tom) and Darren King (Tom’s outrageous mother, Dame Marzipan, the village baker). These two fabulous artists have appeared in almost every single pantomime we have ever staged, and really know how to keep an audience entertained! Every good panto needs a nasty villain, and rubber-faced, treacle-voiced Peter Court makes a meal of the dastardly Grimsby Withergood, a shape-shifting goblin wizard, while his nemesis, the good fairy, Calypso Honeybunch, is played with quirky style by much-loved Durban actress, Belinda Henwood. More glamour comes in the form of two beautiful ladies, Londiwe Dhlomo, who plays the adventurous Princess Miranda, and Caitlin Kilburn as a slinky feline spy, Selina Swiftclaw. Rounding off the excellent cast is golden-voiced Lyle Buxton as a Johnny Bravo style mill owner, and Nhlakanepho Manqele as the jocular king of the enchanted island.

We have decided to embrace the heat of Durban December and set this rollercoaster adventure on a Caribbean island, with colourful sets designed by the masterful Greg King, drenched in vines, hibiscus and frangipani, ranging from a village square, to a ball room in a royal palace, to a magical fairy grotto, to a wizard’s weird laboratory. The costume designs, by also by Greg  are absolutely ravishing, and have been made with skill and care by our brilliant costumière, Shanthi Naidoo.  

Lighting is in the capable hands of multi-award winning designer Tina le Roux, and the show is written and directed by myself, with great love and attention to detail.

The show features well known songs such as “Rhythm of the Night” by Debarge, Michael Buble’s “Sway”, Katy Perry’s “Roar”, and Ricky Martin’s “La Vida Loca”, as well as a host of other hummable, popular songs that’ll have your toes tapping and your kids singing along!

I advise you all to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, as we have already sold out the first ten performances! Remember that you can still get special discounts on groups if you book before 4 December!!

You can book through Computicket: www.computicket.co.za or by phoning 0861 915 8000. For block bookings and information on group discounts, contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places: editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com or call her on 0832502690.

Performances are generally 2.30pm Tuesday-Sunday, with 7pm shows Fridays and some Saturdays. Tickets range in price from R120 to R220. The production runs at the ELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE from 4 December to 10 January.

For more information about KickstArt Theatre or to join our mailing list, please visit our website at www.kickstarttheatre.co.za or find us on Facebook: KickstArt Theatre Productions and Friends of KickstArt.

Twitter: @KickstartProd1

So looking forward to entertaining you and your family this holiday season!

Warmest wishes:
STEVEN STEAD
Executive Director: KickstArt Theatre