The Jolly Good Show will be presented at the Fish Hoek civic centre on Friday August 11, at 7.30pm.
This is the third concert produced by Fish Hoek actress, Debi Thomas Hawkins, to raise funds for The Flame Lily Foundation, an NPO established to assist ex-Zimbabwean senior citizens in South Africa whose pensions were cut off by the Zimbabwe government.
This charity event is a musical and comedy revue with a line up, featuring jazz, folk, pop and even a bit of rock music, combined with some high-end comedy.
The show’s line up of performers have all donated their time to the cause.
“There is a sense of deja vu going on here as my mother produced shows similar to this for 20 years, in the Zimbabwean farming district we grew up in,” Debi said.
“Her efforts benefited hundreds of retirees living in the area over the years. When I moved to Cape Town I realised there were many talented ex-Zimbabwean performers living here and that is mostly who we have gathered for our cast,” Debi said, “also members of our family, another tradition I picked up from my mother.”
Debi became involved after hearing about a Zimbabwean couple some years back who held hands and stepped in front of a train together. “I was just devastated that an elderly couple felt they had no other choice, and I knew I had to find ways to help others,” she said.
Debi said that there are a number of new cast members and crew, who have just given to the show, from the goodness of their hearts.
One such ex-Zimbabwean performer is theatre legend Nicholas Ellenbogen, who will MC the event.
Nicholas will also perform in the show with his wife, Liz.
Nicholas is best known for the Theatre For Africa environmental plays which he has written, directed and performed all over the world – and his fantastic Raiders plays – which can be enjoyed at The National Arts Festival every year.
He and Liz have built and run numerous theatres around Southern Africa, including Kalk Bay Theatre and most recently The Rosebank theatre.
“This year’s show presents Amanda Tiffin as the featured musical artist in The Jolly Good Show,” Debi said. Anyone who attended the 2014 concert will remember Ms Tiffin’s warm rapport with the audience and skillful singing, Debi said.
“Born in Zimbabwe, she has now made her name in Cape Town.
“She has her Master’s Degree with distinction, and has gone on to become one of Cape Town’s best-loved vocalist-pianists, and a respected musical director/ arranger, orchestrator and composer. She has recorded five albums and is Head of Jazz Singing and Acting Head of Jazz Studies at UCT,” Debi said.
Amanda will be joined by bassist Shaun Johannes and newcomer Marc Hendricks, a singer/songwriter who has collaborated with Amanda and Shaun in various musical gigs in Cape Town.
“We will also be introducing a whole new style of entertainment to some of you, in the form of the fabulous improvisational comedy troupe, The Long Shots, based in Observatory,” Debi said. The troupe make scenes up live, using audience suggestions.
“This is 100% pure unrefined comedy. The troupe was founded in 2011 and they perform regularly at the Armchair Theatre, a comedy hub in Observatory and the Alexander Bar Theatre,” Debi said. For more information about the Flame Lily Foundation, visit www.flf-rasa.org
“Ticket prices for this event are reasonable so bring friends, your family, a full wallet and a willing heart,” Debi said.
Arrive hungry to take advantage of the pre-show entertainment and “real food” refreshments, which will also be on sale at interval.
The Jolly Good Show is on Friday August 11, 7pm for 7.30pm at The Fish Hoek civic centre.
Tickets cost R80 or R50 for children and are available at AP Jones in Fish Hoek, online booking debi@umoyafilms.com or call Debi Thomas Hawkins on 082 5073370.
