News: Follow Ur Bliss

 Come this Saturday the 14^th December, Durban is in for quite a comedy treat.  Shika Budhoo and Dhaveshan Govender are back on stage together, in Durban, in their brand new hilarious comedy show AYA’S BOY, at The Catalina Theatre for ONE NIGHT ONLY!

After a year in Johannesburg, the newly married Budhoo and Govender have put together a crazy comedy love show to keep you laughing this Christmas time. AYA’S BOY, takes us on the hysterical journey of a stubborn grandmother trying to marry off her delinquent grandson. When 30 year old Pooven a.k.a The Fresh Prince of Montclair, hip hops into his granny’s house, little does he know that he’s on a comedy collision course with Vaneshree, the Gadhra-Bean Queen. Audience members can expect belly-aching laughter from an assortment of crazy characters from Aya’s cock-eyed hen-pecked husband, Thatha to a very “spiritual” Bollywood guru, Guru GuptaPoo, who both get trapped into Aya’s plot to marry off her  off-beat grandson.  You’ve heard of “jilted lovers”, but this story is about the “tilted lovers”- Vaneshree and Pooven - showing us the funny side of love, with Aya starring as their “Fairy Grandmother “ waving her walking-stick-wand around. This crazy comedy is the perfect warm up to the festive season and is suitable for the entire family. With song, dance, and a barrel of laughs, AYA’S BOY is guaranteed to hit your funny bone in all the right places.

Govender and Budhoo have been in post-production for their first film, HINDRANCE, and are well known for the roles as Storm and Mrs.Singh Song in Clinton Marius’s Lollipop Lane. You will remember Budhoo for her unique stage performances in The Fantastical Flea Circus, Shika-Land! and this year saw her taking to the Gold Reef City stage as aunty Bolly in Oh Golly Its Bolly. Govender is known for his stage performances in King Of Old Trafford, Opera Exposed and Shear Madness. The now husband-and-wife team are tackling love head on, showing when love is involved, how heads can roll, head’s can crack and head’s can turn.

AYA’s BOY is on at the CATALINA THEATRE, WILSONS WHARF, on Saturday the 14 December 2013. Booking’s through Computicket. 0861 915 000. Or Book online at: http://online.computicket.com/web/event/aya_s_boy/789358390/0/58138130

The Ladies of Lollipop Lane

Watch out, they’re back! Stand by for a reunion with your favourite peeps from that crazy block of flats where anything can happen..

Thousands of listeners tuned in for several years to the hugely popular radio soapie, Lollipop Lane, created by Clinton Marius… Now the magic returns in a delightfully whacky spin-off at Sibaya Casino’s iZulu Theatre in April in a brand-new comedy roadshow, The Ladies of Lollipop Lane.

Starring Pauline Dalais and Shika Budhoo as the much-loved Mrs Singh-Singh and Mrs Singh-Song, this bubbling entertainment runs for three performances only from 11 to 13 April. Co-directed by Marius and Caroline Smart, The Ladies of Lollipop Lane features a stellar line-up of comedy favourites.

Dhaveshan Govender appears here as Ricky, while Maeshni Naicker reprises her role as the outrageous kleptomaniac pensioner, Auntie. Mpume Mthombeni sweeps all before her onstage as the irrepressible domestic help, Regina. Caitlin Kilburn is the dolphin-whispering, tree-hugging Shirley, and audiences also get to meet rising newcomers, Sandile Mthembu and Khanyisani Kheswa who appear as the handyman, James - and his twin brother, err.. James,

And as a special attraction, the production features a rare guest appearance by Caroline Smart as Shirley’s mother-from-hell, Edith McDoodle. Politics, relationships, society, people, and food … lots of it … nothing is off-limits as everyone’s favourite aunties, and a few uncles, take audiences on a laugh-a-minute rollercoaster ride down the lane to the block of flats where the lift doesn’t quite go to the top floor.

“Over the past two years since the radio soapie came to an end, I’ve been inundated with requests from fans to find a new platform for their favourite characters,” says Clinton Marius. “So, with the collaboration of Caroline Smart and the Lollipop Lane family, we know they will enjoy themselves when we stage The Ladies of Lollipop Lane at Sibaya next month.”

With fun prizes to be won, early booking for this not-to-be-missed show is strongly advised. Call Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or book online at www.computicket.com. Performances of The Ladies of Lollipop Lane are at 8pm on Friday and Saturday, 11 and 12 April, with a 3pm matinee on Sunday 13 April. The duration of the exuberant song-dance-comedy entertainment is 2 hours including interval. 

Hindrance 

Three friends unexpectedly end up in an estranged house in Verulam, stumbling upon a ghostly secret kept for decades and the consequences are utterly scream-able. Hindrance is coming 2013. 

Kicking off the new year by getting their spook on, Durban entertainment couple, Shika Budhoo and Dhaveshan Govender, have written a short horror film, Hindrance, which starts shooting this week. Produced by local entertainment group, Dizzy Dragonfly, Hindrance is being shot which an all Durban cast and crew on location in Verulam, KZN. 

Budhoo and Govender are at the helm of this pilot film project, and Dizzy Dragonfly has on board a primary cast of 12 and a crew of 4 to help kick off the year with a scream. With ten days of shoot scheduled, mostly at night, preparations are full spook ahead for a petrifying fortnight of shooting.

Budhoo and Govender are well known on the Durban Theatre circuit, for their many shows entertaining children and adults, in plays King of Old Trafford, Shika-Land! and The Fantastical Flea Circus among many others. The cast of Hindrance include Budhoo; well-known writer of Lollipop Lane, Clinton Marius; Mpume Mthombeni, award-winning actress who has returned from a successful run of Neil Coppin’s Tin Bucket Drum in New York; as well as Pauline Dalais, best known for her role as Mrs Singh Singh in Lollipop Lane. Dalais also has hands-on experience with other local films being shot in the KZN area and doubles as line-producer on this project.

Other newcomers to camera are Mariam Bassa, known for her characters on radio; Chante Govender and Akira Ramnath. Ramnath graduates Kumari Akira Ramnath at her Bharatha Natyam Arangetram this weekend by Srimathi Sundharie Ramesh of Kumari Sundharie’s Dance Institute (estd. 1990 graduate of Kalasagra, Chennai, India), after completing 10 years of dance training. In Hindrance, Ramnath takes a lead role as a dancer, now bringing not only grace but scares to screen.

Two years after conception, Budhoo and Govender’s script is now in production. Hindrance will be released later in 2013. Follow @Hindrance_movie or email hindrancethemovie@gmail.com for queries or more information. 

Kalushi: The Story Of Solomon Mahlangu (2016) Award winning South African Feature Film. Shika Budhoo takes the role of Priscilla Jana.

WHAT YOU LAUGHING AT?

Kogie Naidoo, Dhaveshan Govender, Shika Budhoo and Maeshni Naicker, with Jayshree Chetty and dancers from the Suria Langa Dance Academy and the Suja Dance Academy. Catalina Theatre Nov/ Dec 2012.

WHAT YOU LAUGHING AT?  

Don't dala with the doctor, get your perfect dose of comedy. What You Laughing At? is your comedy shot for the whole family. When fasting is done, bring on the fun. Wind down your Diwali celebrations and gear up for the festive season with this cracker of a show.

Chatsworths funniest ladies, Maeshni Naicker and Kogie Naidoo team up with entertainment couple Dhaveshan Govender and Shika Budhoo in this new family comedy show.

You have heard them all on the popular Lollipop Lane by Clinton Marius as the characters Aunty, Kantham, Storm and Mrs. Singh Song. 

You've seen them making audiences laugh- Shika in Shika-Land!; Dhaveshan in King of Old Trafford and Maeshni and Kogie in various roles on screen, most popularly known as Saras and Amsugi in the 'Broken Promises' movies. With amazing dances from the Suri Langa Dance Academy and Suja Dance Academy.

What You Laughing At? is a comedy variety show that brings you the best when it comes to showing you what YOU really laughing at- choosing the perfect indian bride, planning the perfect indian wedding, back in the day tunes and a coupla car-guards choon. Song and dance and family fun, bring your aunty, aaja, aya, son. C'mon, just bring everyone!

SHIKA AND THE KING

The Catalina Theatre, in association with Dizzy Dragonfly, brings you a great double bill of entertainment this June. Shika & The King combines two acclaimed one-handers, Shika-Land! and King of Old Trafford, to give you a double dose of local theatre talent at its best..
 
Shika-Land! is scripted and performed by Shika Budhoo, and features five characters from across the globe, all named Shika. In Shika-Land! Budhoo plays women from India, France, London, Trinidad and South Africa with pitch-perfect accents, song and chameleon-like transformations.
 
King of Old Trafford, written and performed by Dhaveshan Govender, is one man’s tale of life, love and Manchester United. Govender plays a variety of local characters as he tells the story of a Manchester United super-fan.
 
Both shows have had individual critical acclaim at The Mercury Durban Theatre Awards, with Shika-Land! having earned nominations for Best New South African Script, Strictly Solo and Best Actress in 2011; and King of Old Trafford earning a Strictly Solo nomination in its initial 2007-2008 run.
 
Budhoo and Govender are widely loved for their long-running radio roles of Mrs Singh Song and Storm in Lollipop Lane, as well as a string of theatre and screen credits. The couple showed their onstage dynamic when they appeared together in Sunghursh (2010), Spice 'n Stuff (2011) and the multiple award-winning children’s show, The Fantastical Flea Circus (2011) amongst others; and in May this year, they were two of the onstage 'friends' in the comedy Fundraiser Show, Riaad Moosa and Friends.
 
Shika-Land! and King of Old Trafford, their first one-hander plays, directed by each other, show Budhoo and Govender individually giving a taste of their passion as playwrights and performers in Shika and The King. The audience can expect a rollercoaster of emotion, shedding a tear one moment and roaring with laughter the next.
 
Shika & The King gives Durban audiences the opportunity to catch both shows for the price of one at R65 a ticket, before being staged individually at this year’s National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
 
Shika & The King runs at The Catalina Theatre, Wilsons Wharf, for one week only (Wednesday to Sunday) from 20 - 24 June. PLEASE NOTE SHIKA AND THE KING HAD AN AGE RESTRICTION OF 16L.
Early booking is advised on 031-305 6889 or online at www.strictlytickets.com.

THE NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2012

EXPECT TO SEE... 

 King Of Old Trafford

King of Old Trafford is one mans tale of life, love & Manchester United. The play focuses on Ricky, a hardcore fan of Englands most well known football team. Ricky's passion for the Red Devils sees him relegate every other aspect of his life to the sidelines. As a result, his life falls a part. This is where we find Ricky - alone in a sparsely furnished flat waiting for the game to start. With only a teddy bear for company, his minds wanders and he recollects his past, trying to piece together the shards of his shattered life.

Written and Performed by award wining writer, Dhaveshan Govender, the play has received a Durban Theatre Nomination for Best Solo Performance. Govender is also the popular voice of Storm on Lotus Fm's Lollipop Lane, and King Of Trafford is the inspiration behind the Lotus Fm 2010 World Cup radio drama, Cup Fever, also written by Govender. He has been seen in live productions such as Shear Madness, Spice 'n Stuff and The Fantastical Flea Circus and he is also nominated as The Mercury Durban Theatre Personality of the Year 2011. He most recently directed the critically acclaimed one woman show Shika-Land! King of Old Trafford is directed by Shika Budhoo.

King Of Old Trafford runs for an hour, in which Govender plays various characters, some instantly recognizable to anyone whose ever experienced football fever. Ranging from the terminally broke Two-Rand-Rajen, to the over protective Aunty Shakoon, Govender has had audiences in stitches as he relays the antics of his colourful characters. Nothing is sacred as Ricky extols his views on rugby, DStv and, of course, Liverpool!

Reactions to this play have been favourable to both sexes, a relief to men dragged to the theatre by their better halves. A detailed understanding of the technicalities of the off-side rule is NOT required to appreciate this original piece of South African Theatre.

AND... 

 SHIKA-LAND! (Duration 50min )

Almost everyone's done it - Googled or facebooked their names just to see what comes up. The Results, depending on how common your name is, are populated by a variety of people across the globe. Shika-land is a one woman show which delves into the lives of five different women all named Shika! Interspersed with song, each.

Shika is presented in her own monologue, where she allows us a glimpse into her world. Through these intimate encounters we are given insight into arranged marriage, single motherhood, woman abuse, infidelity and scandal, while posing the question "does our name fit our character or
does our character fit our name"? These women's stories will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion, shedding tears one moment, and roaring with laughter in the next.

In the Mercury Durban Theatre Awards 2010/2011, Shika-Land! was nominated in 3 categories, i.e. Best New South African Script, Best Actress and Strictly Solo. Budhoo was also nominated in 3 other categories namely Mercury Durban Theatre Personality Of The Year, a second Lead Actress Nomination for Spice 'n Stuff and she won Lead Actress in Childrens Theatre for her performance in The Fantastical Flea Circus.

Praise for Shika-Land!
"...utterly authentic on stage..." - Gisele Turner
"...she deftly elicits pathos and humour from each of her
portrayals."  - Anthony Thoms
"..her accents are top dollar." - Stavros  Anthias
"THIS IS A MUST SEE..." - Roland Stansell

AND.... 

TWELVE is written by Dhaveshan Govender, and performed by Mpume Mthombeni and Shika Budhoo...   Govender won Best Writer at the Twist Novel-Script Project 2010 held in Grahamstown during The National Arts Festival, and the prize was a spot on the Fringe. This is a new work by Govender about the impending apocalypse. Twelve will premiere at the festival this year.

The Fantastical Flea Circus returns!

Roll up, roll up, come one, come all, come and see the circus that’s very, very small…

Join the Duchess and the Doctor, as they aim to please, and meet their famous family of fantastically fabulous fleas. So kids of all ages, shapes & sizes, come to The Catalina for some jolly surprises, for a merry morning of magic & mirth - with the teeniest tiniest circus on earth!

Hailed as ““Wonder-flea entertaining” (The Daily News) and “BIG fun from tiny stars” (The Mercury), The Fantastical Flea Circus will be back by popular demand at Durban’s Catalina Theatre on Wilson’s Wharf from 30 September – 9 October 2011.

Come join in the magic and mayhem of this jolly show which delighted youngsters over the past festive season: “Flecked with fun rhyming verse and featuring some short songs … it’s a charming way to fill an hour and good value at R45 a ticket,” wrote Billy Suter in The Mercury. Written by Clinton Marius, the creator of Lollipop Lane, Lotus FM’s daily soapie, this fun-filled frolic stars award-winning actress Shika Budhoo and Dhaveshan Govender.

Budhoo and Govender, who feature as the lovable Mrs Singh-Song and the ever-goofy Storm in the popular radio comedy, have between them also appeared in numerous theatre productions, including Jimbo, Spice ‘n Stuff, Shika-Land, King of Old Trafford, Shear Madness, and Hooked on Books.

Tickets for The Fantastical Flea Circus remain at R45 (R15 extra for an optional boat ride). R40 per person for block bookings of ten or more. Performances are at 11am daily. To book call 031-305 6889, email catalinatheatre@zamail.co.za, or book online at www.stricklytickets.com.

-ends-

ISSUED BY WILLIAM CHARLETON-PERKINS

COPY DOG EDITORIAL ENTERPRISES

082 335 6088 / 031-309 8738

SHIKA-LAND! 

‎•••SHIKA-LAND!••• is playing in the Playhouse Loft from 5-7 August 2011! Bookings... Playhouse Box Office: 031 369-9596.See u at the show!* Peace* 

SHIKA-LAND!

sHIKA BUDHOO    Picture by Val Adamson

"SHIKA-LAND! SYNOPSIS

Almost everyone’s done it – Googled or facebooked their names just to see what comes up. The Results, depending on how common your name is, are populated by a variety of people across the globe. Shika-land is a one woman show which delves into the lives of five different women all named Shika! Interspersed with song, each Shika is presented in her own monologue, where she allows us a glimpse into her world. Through these intimate encounters we are given insight into arranged marriage, single motherhood, woman abuse, infidelity and scandal, while posing the question "does our name fit our character or does our character fit our name"? These women’s stories will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion, shedding tears one moment, and roaring with laughter in the next.

Praise for Shika-Land!

“…utterly authentic on stage…” - Gisele Turner

“…she deftly elicits pathos and humour from each of her portrayals.” - Anthony Thoms

“..her accents are top dollar.” - Stavros Anthias

“THIS IS A MUST SEE…” - Roland Stansell "

 SHOOTING

written by Ashwin Singh

Directed by Ashwin Singh

Designed by Themi Venturas

Performed by Dhaveshan Govender (picture below)

Picture by Val Adamson

*Shooting is running at the National Arts Festival 2011 on the Arena Stages Dates: 4-6 July 2011. Bookings thru Computicket. 

12 May 2011

GREAT NEWS:

Just heard that SPICE 'N STUFF will be touring INDIA later this year.

All thats needed is dates to be confirmed.

A great step towards taking an awesomely written cript, well directed show, and amazing performed by the ensemble cast to a to new continent.

Good times :) Watch your local press for details! :)

Peace an Awesomeness*

09 May 2011

In the upcoming months, I'll be involved in the following productions:

SPICE 'N STUFF

Are u in Joberg in June? Bring ur Mom to: *SPICE 'N STUFF* at the The Theatre on The Square @ Nelson Mandela Square from 31st May-12th June 2011. A theatre production that tantalizes your spicy senses!!! Starring Shika Budhoo, Rory Booth, Kajal Maharaj, Ntando Mncube, Dhaveshan Govender and Ashwin Singh!* :) See You There!*

Ashwin Singh’s Spice ‘n Stuff is to be presented next month
at the The Theatre on The Square @ Nelson Mandela Square from 31st May-12th June 2011.A tantalising mixture of comedy and drama, the play traces the last days of a group of Grey Street traders as they deal with escalating crime, failing businesses, friendships across racial and cultural denominations, entwined with family relationships.

It showcases a female trader, Rita, in the central role. The pressures of dwindling business preoccupy Rita but it is the fear of her secret which threatens to unravel her, as she undergoes an emotional journey of self-discovery. The actions of the street and the poignancy of the store becomes increasingly sensitising as the piece plays out to a dramatic finale.
Described by Singh as “a celebration of life, here, now, and always”, Spice ‘n Stuff is directed by Themi Venturas. The production stars award-winning actress, Shika Budhoo, as Rita, with Rory Booth as her son, Vijay, a trainee attorney who is nearing the last days of his training but is uncertain whether he will be retained as a qualified attorney.
The ensemble cast also includes Ashwin Singh, Dhaveshan Govender, Kajal Maharaj and Nthando Mncube, who play a variety of roles in this richly populated piece which vividly evokes the life and times and the many-sided dynamics of the community it describes.
The revival of this third play by Ashwin Singh is especially appropriate in the context of this year’s 150 year celebrations of the arrival of the first Indians in South Africa.

SHIKA-LAND

SHIKA-LAND! will take to the stage on the 5 - 7 August 2011, as part of the South African Womens Arts Festival at the Playhouse Loft, Durban!* Three shows Only! So don't miss out! Check out my SHIKA-LAND group (with reviews from its premiere at the Musho! festival) on Facebook & Book Now!!! See you wondeful peeps at the show!*

"SHIKA-LAND! SYNOPSIS

Almost everyone’s done it – Googled or facebooked their names just to see what comes up. The Results, depending on how common your name is, are populated by a variety of people across the globe. Shika-land is a one woman show which delves into the lives of five different women all named Shika! Interspersed with song, each Shika is presented in her own monologue, where she allows us a glimpse into her world. Through these intimate encounters we are given insight into arranged marriage, single motherhood, woman abuse, infidelity and scandal, while posing the question "does our name fit our character or does our character fit our name"? These women’s stories will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion, shedding tears one moment, and roaring with laughter in the next.

Praise for Shika-Land!

“…utterly authentic on stage…” - Gisele Turner

“…she deftly elicits pathos and humour from each of her portrayals.” - Anthony Thoms

“..her accents are top dollar.” - Stavros Anthias

“THIS IS A MUST SEE…” - Roland Stansell "