F is for Frank N Furter!!

Two weeks ago my friend Chris Avant Smith who presents Rant and Rave on Radio Today Johannesburg casually asked me if I'd like to interview Brendan van Rhyn aka Cathy Specific aka Frank N Furter in the current production at at Montecasino on my site. WOULD I??? Like to interview Frank N Furter???? The answer was yes, and I collected my thoughts when Chris gave me Brendan's number to contact him. I had to gather my nerves for that alone, but when I did get Brendan on the phone he was gracious and friendly to say the least. I'd have been happy with an emailed questionnaire, but he asked me to meet him at his favourite cafe - Riverside Caffe and Bistro. He explained it was in Bryanston and when I put the phone down and slowly floated back down to earth, I thought to myself "I should be able to find that."... and I'll take a friend with, too! And I like the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. It's a whole different flavour of life to where I live. The northern suburbs are a bit like my idea of New York in the 1970s - which probably means New York in the 1970s was nothing like Joburg North at all, but in my mind it lives and it's a good place to be. 

Brendan and I in the gorgeous Riverside Caffe in Bryanston

I was sure I had it down pat. I'd looked up directions on Google Maps, printed them out, put them on the passenger seat.. and realised at 5 to 12 that something had gone wrong and I most certainly wasn't going to be ON TIME for my appointment with Brendan!! I wished I could have done a tiew warp right there. Long story short, I called him up and he explained how I should go.. and I did eventually arrive there and it's testimony to the man and his patience that he was so gracious. 

Catching up with Gaynor Young SA Actress

Gaynor Young is a name that will stand out to all lovers of South African theatre. 

A well known South African actress in the 1980s and currently the author of her own blog Ear Ear Blog, her inspirational story is one that should be shared and remembered, in order to help others facing challenges. 

My parents were theatre lovers back in the 80s and as such we went to a lot of plays, in all the theatres in Johannesburg including the Alhambra, Market and Rex Garner. At these I was privileged to see many South African actors of the day including Gaynor Young - extra special to me because she is my namesake, and being a shy young girl it's nice to know that an accomplished actress also has your name! -  

Our whole family was very saddened one day in 1989 when we heard of a terrible accident Gaynor had suffered falling down a lift shaft during one of her performances. It was touch and go as to whether she would survive and we listened to the radio daily for news of her condition. Survive she did, but 
she suffered brain damage and deafness. 

She chats to us about her life and how she has managed to overcome adversity. 

Rocky Horror Picture Show in Johannesburg 2014

THE FUGARDTHEATRE’S THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW COMES TO JOHANNESBURG!

Let's do the Time Warp again! 

Produced by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, Richard O’Brien’s iconic smash hit rock musical THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW which has set Cape Town alight for months, is set to come to Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatrein January 2014!

The Fugard Theatre’s production of this global musical sensation is currently enjoying a sold out season at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town. The production has played to capacity houses at every performance since opening on the 10^th July 2013. To meet the massive demand for tickets, the Fugard Theatre recently announced one final Cape Town extension which will see the production bring its final curtain down in Cape Town on the 12^th January 2014.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW then transfers and opens at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre in Johannesburg on the 24^th January 2014 for a very limited 10 week season only. The production must close on Sunday 30 March 2014.