JCT Goes Virtual
Joburg City Theatres comprise of Joburg Theatre, Roodepoort Theatre and Soweto Theatre. As three of the largest and most popular theatre venues in Gauteng, they bring audiences the very best in family-friendly, big-budget theatre year round. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the national lockdown, these world-class venues have had to temporarily close their doors. While this is disappointing for ticket holders and regular patrons, it may prove devastating for the theatre's staff, artists and crew. Nevertheless, Joburg City Theatres have stepped up to the plate, bringing you a selection of their best loved productions online during lockdown!
At the start of lockdown, Joburg City Theatres debuted the
#JCTSoloCreativeChallenge, calling on artists, theatre makers and directors to deliver content online, just for you. The theatres then dug into their archives to find live recordings of their best shows to stream online. So far we've seen
Janice Honeyman's Snow White the Pantomime, The KZN Heritage Ensemble, Joburg Ballet's Carmen, Verdi's La Traviata and the National School of the Arts production of Gibson Kente's Too Late.
[embed]https://youtu.be/Lz5Dcj2i9Pw[/embed]
What's Up Next?
Joburg City Theatres have committed to bringing you weekly shows in lockdown. In honour of Youth Month, they've got a jam-packed online schedule lined up. In partnership with the National School of the Arts, Current State of Poetry, the Indie Foundation and Art Twenty Four Academy, Joburg City Theatres will be celebrating young artists all throughout Youth Month. You can expect a fantastic showcase of theatre, dance, poetry, stand up comedy and much more. Here's what's on the lineup:
Youth Month Special Music, Poetry and Comedy
Kicking things off, Joburg Theatre presents their
Youth Month Special in collaboration with Art Twenty Four Academy and the Indie Foundation. Featuring performances from young and upcoming poets, musicians and comedians, this 45-minute show is a must-see. Stream it on Joburg Theatre's YouTube channel from 21 June 2020.
Poetic Thursdays - Online Open Mic Night
Up next on the bill is Soweto Theatre's Poetic Thursdays. This event usually draws in audiences from all around Joburg for the best in spoken word performances. Now Soweto Theatre's Poetic Thursdays has gone online for an open mic night unlike any other. The online event takes place on Thursday, 25 June 2020 at 20:00 on Joburg City Theatre's website and YouTube channel.
The National School of the Arts Ruby Suite
The NSA in collaboration with the Johannesburg Youth Ballet and Moving Into Dance present
The Ruby Suite. Directed by JYB's Mark Hawkins,
The Ruby Suite is an eclectic synthesis of neo-classical, flamenco, hip-hop and contemporary dance. Showcasing the versatility of the young dancers from the NSA, Moving Into Dance and the JYB,
The Ruby Suite is one of the highlights of Joburg City Theatre's Youth Month lineup. The show will go live online daily between Thursday, 25 June - Sunday, 28 June 2020 at 16:00.
Amanda
Another one of the National School of the Art's pre-recorded shows,
Amanda rounds off the Joburg City Theatre's Youth Month celebrations. Amanda is in Grade 11 and has a major crush on Katy, a white Afrikaans girl. In this sensitive and amusing play, Amanda shares a day in her school-girl life. The play reveals the complexities of the South African socio-political landscape and touches on relevant topics of racism, sexism, gender-based violence and prejudice. The winner of the 2019 Original Works Festival, this play is not to be missed. Stream it online between Thursday, 25 June - Sunday, 28 June 2020 at 16:00 daily.
[embed]https://youtu.be/owcDtDmMcLg[/embed]
When Is It?
Joburg City Theatre's Youth Month celebrations run from
Tuesday, 16 June 2020 to Sunday, 28 June 2020. Follow them on
Twitter and
Facebook to find links to their daily shows.
Where Is It?
Joburg Theatre's website and
YouTube channel.
How Much Is It?
Joburg City Theatres' online programming is free to watch, but you can help keep them alive and thriving by starting online conversations about your favourite shows. And if you simply cannot wait to settle into those classic red theatre seats again, purchase a
Joburg City Theatres voucher from Webtickets to use after lockdown has ended!
[caption id="attachment_95278" align="alignnone" width="660"]
The Nelson Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre.[/caption]
For More Information
Keep an eye on their social media pages to stay up to date with their lockdown entertainment schedule while you stay safe at home:
Facebook
Twitter
Details: (Tel) 0861 670 670 |
[email protected]
