Christmas at the Playhouse!

The Playhouse Company presents Joburg Ballet's enchanting new production of The Nutcracker on 18 and 19 December in the Playhouse Opera Theatre with live accompaniment by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Nutcracker is one of the most popular and beloved Christmas classical ballets in the world which will transport audiences into a Christmas fairy tale where toys come to life, mice wage war, snowflakes delight, sweets dance and Clara meets her Nutcracker Prince.

Artistic Director Iain MacDonald commented: "The Nutcracker is a ballet traditionally associated with Christmas. I am delighted that we can present our work to Durban audiences. We are also thrilled that this staging draws on the choreographic talents of company dancers who have been invited to choreograph sections of the production."

20 young Durban boy and girl dancers have been given the amazing opportunity to perform alongside the professionals in The Nutcracker, as the children's chorus. The dancers - some as young as six - are from Celia Davis School of Ballet and Mary Ann Salvage School of Ballet.

The Playhouse is fastidious about Covid protocols, and great thought and care has gone into ensuring all protocols are being observed.

The ballet is one of the Christmas productions on offer at the Playhouse this season - be sure to catch the other brilliant productions: Nateshwar Dance Company pay homage to the wonderful tradition of the Indian Cinema Industry in Bollywood Song & Dance: 19 & 20 November in the Playhouse Drama Theatre; a jolly mash-up of life in the large lane combining comedy, drama, song and dance - in isiZulu: Bigly Yuge: 3 & 4 December in the Playhouse Loft Theatre; and the KickstArt family panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the Drama Theatre: 18

-30 December.

Tis the season to kick back and wind down! Don't rush home from work - pop into the Playhouse for our fabulous regular Sundowner Concerts and Poetry sessions featuring the best of local performers. Also for your enjoyment are the ongoing Test Driving the Arts concerts which takes place weekly throughout the Christmas season, and the Okwethu Community Arts Festival which provides a valuable platform for local performers, presented in partnership with Cultural and Creative Federation Industries of South Africa. All of these great fringe shows are FREE of charge!