New Shows On Circuit with Caroline Smart

Another good way to find out what is happening in Durban is to become a member of Durban Arts and get the DARTS magazine which she produces you can pick it up at the ArtStand at Essenwood Craft Market on a Saturday morning or become a member of Durban Arts and get it on a regular basis. Membership is R62.70 a year (R34.20 students and pensioners)

The Dam is simply beautiful tonight and the moon is shining brightly over the dam. But if you are driving to Hartbeestport Dam, then do go over the causeway following the Sun City signs and not over the dam wall via Schoemansville. If you have to go over the wall then be prepared for a revolting obnoxious smell that would make you wish you had a gas mask.

There have been many problems that have accelerated over a few years – this includes the infestation of algae as well as effluent that has been coming down the Crocodile River into the Dam. Added to this, is a breakdown in the balance of fish life and a collapse of natural shoreline vegetation.

At the dam wall, there’s a dreadful build-up of putrid water and a strange metallic surface that looks so thick, you could almost walk across it. Anyway, once past all that - the dam is glorious but it is something the authorities need to sort out as a matter of urgency.

Right – what’s happening down your end. Well ... at Wilson’s Wharf, The Catalina is busy with two productions:

The Secret of Mrs Moppet’s Garden which runs until Sunday is a delicious and entertaining story for the little ones about three schoolchildren who sneak into this garden but can’t get out until they have learned the valuable lesson about what a big difference a small deed can make.

Janna Ramos Violante has written and directed the play and also appears in it with Danielle Perlman, Sean de Klerk and Brett Kyle. Good performances all round. The set is an enchantment of shining ivy, fairy lights, little creatures and a nice solid toadstool to sit on. There are shows every morning at 11 and the ticket price of R45 includes a boat ride round Durban Harbour.

Running in the evening at Catalina – but this time, definitely for the adults – is …And 5, 6, 7, 8!, a new play about the backstage life of a troupe of cabaret dancers. Presented by a new theatre company called TheatreBiz, it’s written by Terry Davidoff and Steven Pillemer, directed by Themi Venturas, with choreography and directorial assistance by Mark Hawkins and costumes by Kevin Ellis.

The cast features Darren King, Sean de Klerk, Janna Ramos-Violante, Kim