Theatre to take you back in time with divas show

12 August 2016

 

August is a month during which South Africans pause to celebrate the contribution that women made to the attainment of our democracy and the role they continue to play in all spheres of society today. 

 

But no celebration would be complete without some soulful music.

It was against this background that Johannesburg City Theatres set aside four days during Women’s Month – from last night 11 to 14 August – to host a spectacular and dynamic musical extravaganza at the Joburg Theatre.

Dubbed the “Supreme Divas Show”, the concert will celebrate fabulous local and international women of song who have become legends through their music over the past decades. Mzansi’s finest – Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Miriam Makeba and Claire Johnston – will be celebrated along with the likes of “old school” American divas such as Etta James, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Donna Summer.

Younger audiences will relish hits from “new school” divas such as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and Adele.

Channelling the divas will be talented vocalist Tia Herman, who has been nominated twice for the South African Music Awards; former Idols SA contestant Lelo Ramasimong, actress and comedian Tracey-Lee Oliver and award-winning actress Elizca Coetzer. Marianthe Panas, the Born to Perform teenage sensation, will join them on her professional theatre debut.

Along with the dynamic nine-piece band led by music director Llewellyn George, audiences will be thrilled by all-time favourites such as R.E.S.P.E.C.T, Somewhere, If I Could Turn Back Time, I’m Every Woman, Hot Stuff, Stop in the Name of Love, Vulindlela, Valerie, Unqombothi, Do You Know Where You’re Going To? and If I Were a Boy.

Produced by Joburg City Theatres in collaboration with The CoLab Network, Supreme Divas is superbly by Timothy le Roux.

“We want to portray South African talent at its best,” said Claire Pacariz, the show’s executive producer.

“With Women’s Day on August 9, we thought it would be an ideal time to honour legendary women in song

Tickets, at between R150 and R250, are available at www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670 as well as through Webtickets. Groups of 10 or more qualify for a discount. Call the theatre directly on (011) 877-6853/6815 for more information.