Andre Schwartz – ANY DREAM WILL DO – My pad met Webber – JO’Burg Season 2024
Pieter Toerien Main Theatre at Montecasino
30 Oct – 3 Nov ONLY!

Any Dream will do – My Pad met Webber
Andre Schwartz

In this production, Schwartz explores his relationship with all that is Andrew Lloyd Webber. A relationship that started when he encountered Andrew’s work for the first time at the age of 12 upon seeing Joseph and his amazing technicolor Dreamcoat. He utilizes this connection with Webber as well as further interactions as a platform from which to tell his own life story. Stripped. Raw. Vulnerable.

Schwartz’ Mother, who had a substantial influence on his life is quoted as saying: “Weave your coat and create a tapestry of colors, let it shine as brightly as you want it to, dream whatever you want, even if dreams and reality become indistinguishable. You decide your own truth, but always remember your way home.”

Home is where the truth lies for Andre. Varying between moments when his coat shone vividly becoming the first Phantom in South Africa with Webber’s seal of approval, to moments where every hint of colour faded from his coat, upon receiving a diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease.

The narrative as well as songs, such as Any Dream will Do, You must love Me, Music of the Night, No Matter What, Memory and Send in the Clowns, weave together forming a unit that places this piece firmly in the genre of pure theatre. If you are expecting a “lounge music” version of any of these favorites, then you are coming to the wrong show.

Send in the Clowns is the only song in the production that is not written by Webber. “I marvel at the insolence of young artists who think they have owned the right to interpret this song. Their waltz with time is brimming with life. Whereas we, from whom youth has deserted, realize the ultimate clown” says Schwartz.

The songs are presented unguarded, stripped and shamelessly honest – as is Schwartz’s life story.

The show moves between moments of immense pain experienced by the artist, to exalted moments of hope and inspiration – the key message of the show.

Humour is omnipresent and razor-sharp – very often self-demeaning.

Packed houses, standing ovations, rave reviews and theatre nominations around the country are testament to the success of this production.

Director: Matt Counihan
Musical Directors: Bryan Schimmel- Andrè Schwartz
Piano: Bryann Schimmel
Ghitaar: Mauritz Lotz

Conrad Koch – Despicable He He

2 – 6 October

Deadly funny and monstrous laughs, this roller coaster ride of puppets and comedy will have you LOLing in the aisles. Conrad Koch, South Africa’s multiple award-winning comedy ventriloquist, and Chester Missing, that rabble rousing puppet you’ve seen on TV, bring their newest hour of hilarity. Including old favourites, Mr Dixon, high school teacher, and Hilton, party ostrich, you’ll also meet Gunter the German tourist Mosquito; the world’s most dangerous dummy, Vladimir Putin, Vampire; and DJ Hoodie, the musical maniac. They will even turn your friend into a talking chicken live on stage. With over 130 million views on TikTok alone, this is not to be missed.

“Frenzied hilarity” The List UK,

“Brings the roof down” The Independent UK,

“Hilarious” Mail & Guardian,

“Ventriloquism at its very best” The Star

The Neil Diamond Show:

Glittering and radiant, Mzansi Ballet presents The Neil Diamond Show, a ballet set to the timeless melodies of Neil Diamond. This enchanting ballet transports audiences into a world where every movement sparkles with brilliance, echoing the facets of a precious gem. With Neil Diamond’s iconic music as its backdrop, “The Neil Diamond Show” is a mesmerizing journey through light, color, and the enduring mystique of these treasured jewels!

Dirk Badenhorst presents

SELIM KAGEE – IL MONDO

10 & 11 August only

Prepare to embark on a journey through time as Selim Kagee presents ‘Il Mondo,’ a mesmerizing concert of nostalgic songs, set to enchant audiences.

Transport yourself to a bygone era where timeless melodies reign supreme, and memories of the last century come alive through the enchanting performance of classic songs. With his velvety voice and captivating stage presence, Selim Kagee promises an unforgettable experience, weaving together cherished tunes that have etched themselves into our collective consciousness.

Join Selim as he shares delightful anecdotes from his own life, offering heartwarming and often humorous insights into his musical journey and global travels. From romantic ballads to soul-stirring anthems, ‘Il Mondo’ showcases a repertoire that spans generations, leaving audiences spellbound and yearning for more.

Expect to be serenaded with beloved classics such as “Il Mondo,” “The Wonder of You,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – songs that have withstood the test of time and continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. Selim’s performance promises to evoke a myriad of emotions, from nostalgia to joy, as he effortlessly captures the essence of each timeless masterpiece.

Classic Feel Magazine hails Selim Kagee as “an impressive new, proudly South African addition to the adult contemporary and crossover fields,” likening his talent to that of esteemed luminaries such as Bocelli, Groban, Pavarotti, and Bublé.