#Montecasino Theatre

[robynsassenmyview]

Ode to the Patron Saint of Mediocrity

TAKE that! Antonio Salieri (Alan Committie) above, in a fit of jealousy with Mozart (Mark Elderkin). Photography courtesy of Montecasino Theatre. WHEN YOU THINK of Amadeus, Peter Shaffer’s perfectly wonderful play of 1979 that cast mischievous light into the mysterious nooks and untold crannies of the life of 18th century Vienna composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the first thing that comes to…

[navdeepoutofoakland]

These two awesome gentlemen, Siya and Mbongeni, are my soul brothers. They are deep followers of African Indigenous Spirituality and maintain a strict code of conduct. They both acted in the play “The Rise and Fall of the African Gospel: Nongqawuse”. Mbongeni, on the right, also wrote and directed the play.

Our bracelets remind us of our commitments to spirituality.

They invited me to attend their place of worship called The Revelation Spiritual Home located in Joburg CBD (Central Business District).

Much to my surprise, they also generously invited me to the opening night of the American play “Fences”. Siya told me that 99% of all South African stars were there that evening.

Feeling awesome on the Joburg Theatre red carpet. Although I was extremely underdressed, I still enjoyed all the hoopla!

My very sweet, kind-hearted landlady in Rosebank, Susan. We went to a Las Vegas-style hotel/casino called Montecasino and had lunch and saw a fabulous, melodic piano show one Saturday.

On a separate occasion, Susan introduced me to a super cool place called The Pantry which is a combo petrol station with Whole Foods quality supermarket items for sale. We had delicious pizza and soft serve ice cream.. Yummers!

[jozistyle]

Louise Carver is excited to announce HOME TOUR LIVE!

  As we celebrate Women’s Month in August and gear up for Heritage Month in September, renowned singer/songwriter Louise Carver is thrilled to announce Home Tour Live – a specially created theatre show – to celebrate South Africa’s diverse talent and extraordinary music. Home Tour Lives launches at Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre, Montecasino, Johannesburg on Saturday,  2nd September at…

[offthescreensa]

#TheatreReview: Evita

Portrait of an Argentinian Icon

Full disclosure. Evita is not one of my favourite musicals. Some of the songs are amazing, like Another Suitcase in Another Hall; High Flying Adored; On This Night of a Thousand Dreams; You Must Love Me and, of course, Don’t Cry for me Argentina, but the other songs I don’t really enjoy. I think it’s the odd timing of Buenos Aires, or the sheer craziness of some of the other songs, but it’s never really hit the emotional core of Phantom of the Opera, or Cats, or Jesus Christ Superstar, or the other musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber, for me at least.

That said, the performance of Evita, happening right now at the Teatro at Montecasino, is completely amazing. I’m often astounded by the level of talent in musical theatre in South Africa and this show is no different.

Before I look at the on stage mastery, let’s look at the story of Evita.

Starting at the point of her death and then going back, Evita tells the tale of Eva Duarte, played by Emma Kingston, a young, impoverished girl, living in a small town in Argentina, with plans of much more. She manages to make her way to Buenos Aires, with the help of the reluctant performer Magaldi, played by Anton Luitingh, and starts making a name for herself. Of course, the way she does that is by sleeping with and manipulating any man that can increase her profile and standing. This culminates in a meeting with Juan Peron, played by Robert Finlayson, a Lieutenant General in the Argentinian Army who, with the help of Eva, rises to become president of the country. Eva becomes the spiritual leader of the people, the poor and disenfranchised, who look at her like she’s a saint, however, the upper class of Argentina are less favourable of the actress that has become the first lady of their country. This creates tension between them and the president, as well as the people, and while she seems to be doing everything for the people and Argentina, it soon becomes apparent that she’s looking out for number one, and as cruel and ruthless as the people she ousted in taking power. Nevertheless, she is loved by the people, and when she passes away it’s a massive loss for the country.

It’s an interesting exploration into the old parable of power corrupting, but, if you look more closely at the storyline, you can see that Evita was corrupted long before she ever took power. It’s more an investigation into a woman that would, and did, do anything to achieve her goal of a better life, no matter what the cost. Kingston plays her beautifully. It’s a difficult role, playing this girl coming from nothing, a wide eyed, naïve girl, into a manipulative woman, doing whatever it takes to ascend, into the states woman, cool and confident, into the woman that is dying and trying to cling to the life she fought so hard for. Kingston has one of the best voices I’ve heard on stage, and the way it changes throughout the performance, to show the declining strength of the character, is great. Of course, it would have been nice to have a South African in the role, but Kingston is so good that I’m glad I got the chance to see her perform it.

The role of Che Guevara, an Argentinian revolutionist and the narrator of the musical, is played by our favourite South African musical star, and a stable at Montecasino, Jonathon Roxmouth. He has just the right balance of revolutionary, charmer and comedian, and catches the audience’s attention with each moment he’s on the stage. And don’t even get me started on the man’s voice. He is truly an icon in South Africa musical theatre and I’ll happily watch anything he is in.

Luitingh’s Magaldi is camp and creepy and funny, and his rendition of On This Night of a Thousand Stars, is wonderful, while Finlayson’s Peron is a statesman through and through. You get the sense that he really loved Eva, regardless of her obvious flaws, and he plays it well.

Each and every person on the stage, which was very effectively set up, with minimal sets, only some props and lighting strips which were used to great effect, are amazing singers and performers. From the kids, who looked too little to be on such a big stage, but had voices to fill it, to the dancers and singers making up the ensemble, they all did fabulous jobs. A special mention needs to be made of Isabella Jane, performing without the aid of Rosie. Her rendition of Another Suitcase in Another Hall gave me chills. She has an amazing voice and a stellar stage presence, and I think we’re going to be seeing a lot more of her in the future, hopefully in starring roles, which she will completely kill.

This is the show of the year, so go and see it while it’s running at the Teatro at Montecasino.

[filthybonnet]

He got the booty.

[jonathan-roxmouth]

"Lenny, Andrew, Steve and Me" peers into the cleverly wicked mind of a musical lover, musician and scholar.

What's amazing about the album is how Jonathan Roxmouth absolutely got away with combining three supposedly different musical titans in one album, tied neatly in a bow. But in a way that it's not one abrupt jumps without rhyme or reason.

Jonathan will not simply give you an album of covers, it's not him just him giving versions. Much like playing with clay or blocks, he creates something new that gives an album sequential sense and gives the songs a brand new spin in that he actually becomes a co-creator. That's where the "...and Me" comes along.

Expect ingenious medleys, hear him sing the favorites and discover new ones. An elegant and unique addition to a musical fan's playlist. The digital album is the closest thing to his ongoing concert at the Montecasino Studio and Theatre in Johannesburg and it is available for digital download at jonathanroxmouth.com/shop.

[weepingstudentpsychicpalace]

The Dutches are in town… (at Pieter Torien's Theatre @ Montecasino) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeXwcR6Npk3AaVs61Fwri4KnlQDywMaN4gK_4w0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[robynsassenmyview]

Madness takes control!

"Madness takes control!" a review of 'Alice in Wonderland' at the Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino, until 4 February 2024.

“AND why is a raven like a writing desk?” ponders the Mad Hatter (Sandi Dangalala) with cheeky aplomb in Neka da Costa’s Alice in Wonderland at Montecasino, Fourways until 4 February 2024. Photograph courtesy VR Theatrical. IT ALL BEGINS with a bit of masked and gloved mystique that gets even the littlest of littlies focused on the stage. That is the kind of magical lure you will experience in…

[jozistyle]

Pieter-Dirk Uys in The Echo of a Noise opens in Johannesburg

Master storyteller Uys returns to Joburg for a limited season with his tender memoir – The Echo of a Noise Witty, engaging and deeply personal, Pieter-Dirk Uys’s “one-man memoir” The Echo of a Noise returns to Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre from 21 April to 14 May 2023, tracing the journey of how one of South Africa’s national theatre treasures learned to use humour as a “weapon of mass…

[jeaniquefourie]

The Day my Musical Theatre Group won Best Overall Group for our 10min. mini Musicals that we ourselves did from scratch. We directed, arranged the music, wrote the scripts, workes out the harmonies, you name it! About 2 weeks ago we had our Year End Awards for our Performing Arts school Stageworx, at the Teatro at Monte Casino. It was a full day event with stunning performances and high notes of happiness. We were all back in our happy place... The Theatre.. even just for a day... I was so proud of our little group that won Overall Best Group ❤️❤️ My heart wanted to burst of pride ❤️❤️❤️

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https://youtu.be/GB2zMgboNac

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The judges were Amazing🥰 Musical Theatre Legends Samantha Peo and Carmen Pretorius.

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#StageworxPerformingArtsSchool #Jeanique #WonOverallBestGroup #MiniMusicals #TheTheatre #Teatro #MonteCasino #YearEndAwards

[distilled-wisdom]

For those of you that Own Your Shit, you know that everything is not f*cked. 🤓 New stock just arrived at Skoobs in Montecasino. Get over there to get your copy now. Limited stock available. #ownyourshit #ownyourlife #theegosystem #mentalhealth #selfawareness #selfrespect #mindfulness #mentalhealthday #everythingisgoingtobeok (at Skoobs, Theatre of Books) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3ffrOcgWSv/?igshid=1riqr216e1qao

[artsvark]

Theatre Review: #HeTwo – Pieter-Dirk Uys: Screen Queen, Or Girls Just Wanna Have Influence By BRUCE DENNILL   #HeTwo / Starring Pieter-Dirk Uys / Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre, Fourways, Johannesburg…

[robynsassenmyview]

Lessons in laughter at devils

SOUTH Africa’s inimitable national treasure: Pieter-Dirk Uys, performs in The Echo of a Noise at Montecasino until 7 May. Photograph courtesy Athlone News. AS YOU PUT your hands together in salute of this theatre work, and shift yourself to stand in loyal ovation, you are celebrating and honouring not only this particular theatre work, but the treasure that Pieter-Dirk Uys is to this country.…

[blog-creativedev2018-blog]

GO ON A DATE

23/12/18

One of my biggest fears is rejection. For this challenge decided to take it slow and easy by asking someone on a date I knew would not say no.

For my birthday I asked my boyfriend to go on a date with me to see a concert at Montecasino. He picked me up in his little yellow car which we have named Pikachu. My boyfriend popped open the champagne he brought and I finished the bottle on the way.

When we got there we went straight to the gem and stone shop in the centre. As a present he bought me a glass amulet with a blown glass flower inside.

We ate at Spur and he humiliated me with sparklers in ice cream and a cheesy live performance. I shall never again enter a Spur on my birthday. Carl will always try to drag me in as he seemed to enjoy the experience a lot more than me.

We then continued our not-so-sophisticated date in the fountain with ice cream and shoes in our hands, feet kicking in the water. When the security came we decided to head off to our show.

The show was “The Play That Went Wrong” that depicts a play about a murder mystery. This play about a play shows all the catastrophes and mistakes that happen in a theatre production. It was hilarious as the set fell apart, lines were forgotten and queues were ignored.

It was indeed, a very, very fun date.

 concept: Experiences

[jozistyle]

Pieter-Dirk Uys in The Echo of a Noise opens in Johanesburg

Master storyteller Uys returns to Joburg for a limited season with his tender memoir – The Echo of a Noise Witty, engaging and deeply personal, Pieter-Dirk Uys’s “one-man memoir” The Echo of a Noise returns to Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre from 21 April to 14 May 2023, tracing the journey of how one of South Africa’s national theatre treasures learned to use humour as a “weapon of mass…

[rowrowlean]

Polaroid Worthy Parking Lot Moments • #TheMysteryOfIrmaVep is hilarious! Do yourself a favor and catch @jroxmouth with @weslee on stage at Montecasino. Thank you @leonc_publicist for the treat! • #aboutlastnight #flashbackfriday #hat #theme #black #style #fashion #laugh #blonde #instagood #dressup #instagramers #casual #theatre ##entertainment #tophat #vintage #weekend #weekendvibes #nightout #instagood #instamood #instaboy #instadaily #beardstyle #instagram #hashtag #actor #city (at Montecasino)