Janice Honeyman performs live in Bangalory’s Back

by | Nov 16, 2015 | News | 0 comments

Acclaimed director Janice Honeyman returns to the stage in her production of Bangalory’s Back this festive season at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio, from 9 December to 9 January.

After decades of directing award-winning productions, the much-loved and respected Honeyman recreates the magic of storytelling. This charming and delightful show – ideally suited for children aged 5 to 12 – promises to be an undeniable highlight on the Cape Town calendar for the whole family.

From 1976 to 1977 she became a household name in South Africa when she presented the very first children’s television show Bangalory Time, at 18:10 on Wednesday nights, and which had many families glued to their screens.

Janice, along with Zoleka Helesi (Mies Julie, Zabalaza Theatre Festival) and Marty Kintu (Blue/Orange, War Horse) bring back the masterful art of entertainment for the young and old with a morning of fun story-making, music, comedy, puppetry and tale-telling. Add in a few silly limericks, some sweet little riddles, some guessing games, dot-to-dots, jigsaw puzzles, sing-a-long for the children, and voila! perfect summer fun for the entire family.

She brings along her usual brand of fun with Bangalory’s Back for which she has written short five stories with colourful illustrations, to bring to life the vibrancy and magic of its characters and settings.

“In the Bangalory Story shop we will pick each story from the twirling tell-tale tree,” explains the director. “It will be fast, fun, zany and sometimes even sad and touching. The shop will be decorated with mobiles, crafts, puppets, dolls and prompt props that suggest a space filled with stories. We hope to create a lovely sharing family experience so we’d love to see grandparents, parents and children attending. I would really like them to leave the auditorium feeling imaginatively stimulated so we will also throw in some selfies and signing after the performances.” 

The Tale of Twankerly Gloop is a story about loneliness, exclusion and friendship. We feel in love with the gloop who lives on the stoep, and in spite of his unfortunate looks, we end up becoming the best of buddies.

Arlindo and the Dolphins is a Mozambican story about a young boy who plays the marimba and who is bullied by older boys. He is helped by a group of dolphins who love his music. Touching and colourful with a bit of Marrabenta music thrown in, there is also a fun participatory dance for the kids.

In The Butterfly Miracle, Tonio and Bella are on a quest to find their parents in the Blue Mountains. The siblings are kindly helped along by a fabulous fish, a bird of paradise and a beautiful butterfly. Kindness is returned with kindness.

Using the old Japanese style of storytelling Kamishibai, a picture show with puppets, is illustrated in Thoko and Tholeka’s Takeaways which features a magical old bag lady who helps the children to make their dreams come true. No prizes for guessing who the old bag lady is!

Simphiwe and Nikiwe is a modern African version of Hansel and Gretel set in Gugs and Cape Town. Throughout this story the children will be asked to help through guessing games, dot to dots, jigsaw puzzles and a sing-a-long.

WHERE: Baxter Golden Arrow Studio, Main Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700

WHEN: 9 December to 9 January 2016.  Times: Tuesdays to Saturdays at 10:00 and 12:00

TICKETS:  R75 before 7 December, thereafter R95 throughout

For discounted corporate or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or email sharon.ward@uct.ac.za or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email her at carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za during office hours.

fb  twitter BaxterTheatre

PHOTO: Zoleka Helesi, Janice Honeyman, Marty Kintu in Bangalory’s Back, pic by Andrew Brown

 

You might also like…