PE Opera House World Cup Programme

The PE Opera House is looking forward to an extremely busy World Cup Season. 

With funding from the Local Organising Committee of the Fifa 2010 World Cup, assisted by the Eastern Cape Arts and Culture Council, a full programme of events to coincide with the World Cup matches being played in the Metro Stadium is being organised. Visitors will be spoilt for choices in a schedule that often boasts more than 2 productions per day. 

The festivities will kick off and close at 18:30 on Friday, 11 June and Sunday 11 July on the Main Stage with two concerts by the newly formed Nelson Mandela Bay Big Band under the baton of local musician, Garreth Williams. They promise evenings of exciting “oldies”. The Opera House’s own production, African Song and Dance Spectacular, directed by Gerry Fortuin, will open on the Main Stage on Saturday 12 June at 18:30 and further performances, all at 18:30, will be on 14, 18, 21 and 23 June and 2 July. 

This Extravaganza will feature special lighting effects, exciting costumes, beautiful singing, dancing and live music. A mini Fugard-Festival will take place in the Barn in the mean time. Fugard's play, Sorrows and Rejoicing, which has not been seen in the Metro for quite some time will be presented by Stageworld and directed by Marlene Thomasse-Pieterse at 11:30 on 15 June, 18:30 on 16 June and 11:30 on 19 June. Sharon Rother and the Lingatshoni players will bring back Master Harold and the Boys for a single performance on Monday, 21 June at 18:30. 

Another production for visitors with an interest in the history of South Africa is the Rivonia Trial which Monde Wani will be performing in The Barn on Friday, 18 June at 11:30. The rest of the month will feature daily programmes by local artists such as the jazz bands, Shades of Blackness, 19 June at 11:30; Denzyl Africa 18: 30 on 24 June and Afromix 28 June at 18:30. Hip Hop dancers from the Northern Areas will entertain the crowds with their breathtaking agility on 22 June at 18:30. 

Entry to all the above performances is free, but tickets can be reserved by contacting The Opera House at tel. 041-5862256. The rest of the World Cup period is filled with daily programmes of dancing, music groups, Gospell, poetry, traditional dancing and much more. Flyers with the detailed programme will be available at the theatre, on the website at www. peoh.co.za or on Siya or Marian on tel 041-5862256.