Latest news with #TheatreontheSquare
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Linda van Coppenhagen said classical music's power is real
'This kind of singing is my rebellion against artificial intelligence,' she said. Real music and vocals do not need autotune or a million processors to make them sound palatable. It is dynamite from the gut, and there is only one place where you really get that kind of effect. Classical music. Operatic arias. Singers who belt it all out with nothing between them and the audience but air and instinct. That is music in its natural state. The way Bach, Handel, Mozart and Beethoven meant it. When the voice was not decoration but an instrument. Soprano Linda van Coppenhagen has been an instrument of song in Europe for over a decade. There's no tech and gadgetry or engineered smoke and mirrors. Just powerful lungs, absolute control, physical endurance and emotion. She returned home in July for two shows in Joburg, including a Theatre on the Square appearance on Friday, 25 July. Her new album is titled Heimwee, which means 'homesickness' The album was recorded over several years and saw its genesis during lockdown in Germany, during the time of the pandemic. 'We were stuck inside. The world was strange. All I wanted was light, warmth, and something that reminded me of home,' Van Coppenhagen said. 'That is what this music became.' The album features both German and Afrikaans classical art songs. All performed and produced without technical wizardry. Real music. 'This kind of singing is my rebellion against artificial intelligence,' she said. 'There is no autotune. No hiding. If my voice glitches, it stays. If I miss a note, it stays. It is all part of the truth.' Classic music rules, ok? Van Coppenhagen grew up in Johannesburg, studied in Pretoria and Cape Town, and left to pursue her stage dreams in 2010 after winning the Musiqanto Classical Singing Competition. Since then, she has built a highly successful career in Germany, where opera is part of daily life. She couldn't pursue her career at home because the market and concomitant opportunities do not make for a sustainable career. This, despite her absolute love for her country of birth, which will always be home to her. Also Read: 'Roger Waters: The Wall' is an epic watch of powerful music It is the feeling of the music that keeps inspiring her. It's the storytelling, the universal themes still relevant after centuries, and the power of the sound. She shared how music was different hundreds of years ago, and even the pitch was somewhat different to what we know today. Baroque composers like Handel and Bach wrote their music to be performed at a lower pitch. What we now consider normal tuning is set at 443 hertz. But in their day, it was closer to 415 hertz. The difference may seem small, but she says it changes everything. 'It is warmer. Softer. When I sing Handel at 443, it feels rushed and unsettled. At 415, it settles in the body differently. The brain responds. The music feels like it belongs.' She compared it to playing Tetris. 'When the tuning is right, it all locks into place. The music becomes something real and whole. Something your body recognises.' No mics needed And it's all done without a PA system, a front-of-house desk and engineers. Instead, your whole body becomes an instrument, and the ability to project vocals into every corner of a theatre or arena is the challenge. It takes power, a lot of training and manual precision, she said. But also, vulnerability. 'You are naked up there. There is no reverb to carry you. You must carry yourself,' she said. 'But when the audience hears it the way it was meant to be heard, something changes. It becomes a connection, not just a performance.' Soul music still exists It's something that's gotten a bit lost in some modern music, but Van Coppenhagen said that music with soul still exists, across genres. Yet it is becoming harder to find. 'There was a time when pop stars were real musicians. Michael Jackson. Queen. They wrote their own songs. They played their instruments. What you saw on stage was what you heard,' she said. 'Now we are drowning in effects. Everything is polished and packaged, but the emotion is missing.' This is also why she said that perhaps classical music and the power of arias, for example, may make a comeback, especially because of the emotional punch it packs. 'Like books. Like vinyl. Maybe classical music is due for a comeback as people seek out more authenticity,' she said. Tickets for the Joburg shows at Theatre on the Square on 25 July are R100. The show starts at 1pm. Now Read: Coldplay's 'Moon Music': A new vibe, same heartbeat
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Comedy with a cause: Support education at Kids Haven
Comedy with a cause: Support education at Kids Haven Kids Haven in Benoni is teaming up with comedian Nik Rabinowitz to raise funds to ensure the children in their care receive quality education. Join the team on July 31 at the Theatre on the Square, Sandton, as Rabinowitz brings you his latest stand-up special, Geriatric Millennial. The show takes you down memory lane, with the soundtrack of dial-up internet in the background. It follows Rabinowitz as he navigates life as a middle-aged millennial, defiantly refusing to buy reading glasses or admit to a rocky relationship with lactose. Tickets are R350 per person. To book your seats, make a payment to Kids Haven: Nedbank account: 1948063824 Reference: 'Theatre' and your surname Proof of payment can be sent to: [email protected] At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Kurt Egelhof unveils bold new book series
Renowned South African actor, director, playwright, and producer Kurt Egelhof, a staple of local film, theatre, and television since the early 1980s, is making waves in the literary world with the launch of his debut book collection. Egelhof hosted a special book launch at Theatre on the Square in Sandton on May 29, unveiling four compelling works that reflect his decades-long dedication to storytelling rooted in socio-political truth and personal experience. A drama graduate from the University of Natal and a professional actor since 1981, Egelhof is widely recognised for his roles in films such as Ghost and the Darkness, The Last Victims, Zulu Love Letters, and Windprints. Also read: Vibrant festivities illuminate Grayston Preparatory with colour, food, and film Behind the scenes, he has directed more than 250 episodes of popular local dramas and soaps, including Isidingo, Scandal, and Backstage. Now, Egelhof turns the lens inward with his literary project: From Stage to Page. The collection consists of four books, The Adventure Boys, The Palace of Broken Dreams, The Accidental Death of a Good Coloured Man, and Man Overboard, each examining poignant themes through distinct yet interconnected narratives. 'These stories have lived in me for decades. They are fictional, but they are born out of real experiences, my own, and those I have witnessed. This is my attempt to honour memory, provoke thought, and keep the dialogue going about identity, opportunity, and the many faces of injustice in our country and beyond.' Also read: Castle Lager rallies behind Proteas for historic Lord's final The Adventure Boys is inspired by a tragic event Egelhof witnessed in his youth, a reflection on innocence lost and the hard lessons of early life. The Palace of Broken Dreams interrogates the intersection of race, privilege, and artistic talent in post-apartheid South Africa. The Accidental Death of a Good Coloured Man builds on Egelhof's acclaimed stage production, examining racial identity, generational trauma, and the pursuit of legacy. Man Overboard offers a raw, behind-the-scenes glimpse into life aboard luxury cruise ships, contrasting the glamour experienced by passengers with the harsh realities of the crew. Though each book stands alone, together they trace the life journey of a central character from the age of 16 to 60, mirroring, in many ways, Egelhof's evolution as an artist and activist. Read more: Minister Gwarube champions early literacy in AVBOB's campaign 'All four titles are currently available for digital download via and in hard copy on Amazon, both locally and internationally.' He said that in a time when South African stories were more vital than ever, his voice stood as a testament to resilience, artistry, and truth. 'We tell stories not to escape reality, but to better understand it.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Bianca Amato takes centre stage: a look at 'A Doll's House Part 2' and South Africa's flourishing theatre scene
Bianca Amato with Zane Meas in 'A Doll's House Part 2'. Image: Supplied South African stage and TV actress Bianca Amato has a wealth of experience working in the US, with several Broadway shows and appearances in 'Blue Bloods', 'Elementary' and 'The Big C', under her belt. On home soil, she's celebrated for her role in 'Binnelanders' and theatre credentials. Currently starring in "A Doll's House Part 2" at Theatre on the Square, she shared her excitement about the production and discussed how its reception compares to her international experiences. 'While I was in the US, I witnessed and was part of a very robust culture of theatre-going, both in New York City (NYC) and regionally. I'm not sure how it is now, though, as the climate has changed somewhat since Covid. "But NYC is a very vital place theatrically, and I long to invest in and cultivate the same kind of joy and discernment with our company's work here in South Africa,' she revealed.. 'I feel very lucky to have performed in 1500-seaters to full houses, night after night, across the US, and to feel a part of something that is very validated, very cared for, and invested in. It was such a gift. 'And now I am experiencing SA audiences for the first time in 25 years doing this show, and I must say Joburb audiences, even when small, are really bubbly and responsive and vocally appreciative.' "A Doll's House Part 2" centres on Nora Helmer (Amato) walking away from her husband and children in 1879. She yearns for independence. However, fifteen years later, she returns home with a request that rocks the family. The script is cleverly penned to inspire debate while also offsetting the tense moments with comic levity. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Biana Amato in a scene from 'A Doll's House Part 2'. Image: Supplied On slipping into the skin of Nora, opposite Zane Meas, Charlotte Butler and Simone Neethling, she shared: 'I have had a challenge with Nora, as her choices are different to mine. And the choices she makes are very incendiary. "But I fully respect her and her path. I see her as an activist, in a sense, as someone who feels the weight of greater things driving her. For people with that kind of purpose-driven life, sacrifices inevitably need to be made. 'And there is absolute logic and clarity in her decisions. The issues arise because her choices are not selfless. And oftentimes, society finds women who are not soft and maternal, women who put their own journeys first, to be abhorrent. Whereas men are forgiven for that all the time, even celebrated. 'So when I live in Nora, I have to shed my subconscious judgement, and honour her truth, her guts, her fierce honesty, her wit, and her purpose. And I also have to embrace her hubris. The wonderful thing about the play, the brilliant thing, is that each character is flawed, and none of them are wholly right. 'But they each have valid and totally relatable viewpoints. As an audience member, you are allowed to look at relationships through these four lenses and choose your side. And I guarantee you'll change your mind a few times.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From comedy to contemplation: a lot on offer for Cape Town theatregoers
Cape Town theatregoers are in for a treat as Craig Jackson's 'Defending the Caveman' will be staged at the The Playhouse Theatre this weekend. The production comes to the Mother City after a successful run at Johannesburg's Theatre on the Square in November. This iconic one-man show, which taps into the differences between men and women, was created by American comedian Rob Becker. He used his life experience and his observations to add some flavour to the script for the popular play which has been entertaining theatregoers for over three decades. To date, the Broadway hit has been performed in over 45 countries and has been translated into more than 30 languages. It has also received several awards over the years, including the prestigious Olivier Award in London. Over the decades, the script has also evolved to incorporate significant social and global events, leading to its South African show featuring comical and insightful perspectives of issues such as load shedding and other local anecdotes. Where: The Playhouse Theatre in Somerset West. When: Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5. Both shows start at 7.30pm.
