Friday 25th November 2022. The Pam Golding Theatre, Baxter Theatre Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. THE BAXTER THEATRE PRESENTS: AUNTY MERLE THINGS GET REAL! THE BAXTER THEATRE CENTRE PROUDLY PRESENTS MARC LOTTERING'S NEW MUSICAL COMEDY 'AUNTY MERLE THINGS GET REAL'. Following the award-winning success of the hit musical comedy, Aunty Merle It’s a Girl, comedic legend Marc Lottering returns to the stage with his brand-new offering, Aunty Merle Things Get Real at the Baxter Pam Golding Theatre from 29 November 2022 to 21 January 2023 at 7:30 nightly with Saturday matinees. It’s been two long years and Merle Abrahams from Belgravia Road has since survived Covid-19 and lockdown restrictions, and is just about finding her way through the darkness of loadshedding. This time around however, things are about to get very real as Dennis, her loving husband, has been found to be keeping a secret from her. One which has affected his heart and is about to turn Merle’s world upside down. “I wrote this one at a time when the world seems to have gone mad. I could not avoid having much of that chaos reflected in the story. The challenge has been to remain truthful in this regard, but to still ensure that there’s laughter”, notes Marc Lottering. Directed by award-winning Director, and Baxter CEO Lara Foot, the star-studded cast includes Royston Stoffels, Loukmaan Adams, Carmen Maarman, Jawaahier Petersen, Tankiso Mamabolo, Madeegha Anders, Anzio September, Crystal Finck and Shaun Oelf. With choreography by co-founder of Figure of 8 Dance Collective, Grant van Ster, the cast is accompanied by a six-piece band, led by musical director Trevino Isaacs. These images are from the Full Dress Rehearsal stills taken at The Baxter Theatre Centre on Friday 25th November 2022. Copyright © Mark Wessels. All Rights Reserved. No Usage Without Permission. PICTURE: MARK WESSELS. 25/11/2022. +27 (0)61 547 2729. superkwazi@gmail.com

Aunty Merle things get real comes to Johannesburg

Belinda
Posted by Belinda November 12, 2023

Following hot on the stiletto heels of the smash hit musical comedy, Aunty Merle It’s A Girl, Marc Lottering and a dynamic cast return to the stage with the hit sequel Aunty Merle Things Get Real from 16 February to 3 March 2024 at Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.

Two years have gone by since we last visited Aunty Merle on Belgravia Road and things are about to get real…really real! Aunty Merle Abrahams has survived Covid-19 and lockdown and is navigating her way through the darkness of loadshedding. But now her loving husband, Dennis, is keeping a secret from her. One which is about to turn Merle’s world upside down. Her spirits may sink even lower than her sunken lounge.

“When I started creating this story, the world found itself in a delicate space post-Covid, along with South Africa facing its own burning issues. The challenge was to acknowledge the realities of the world Aunty Merle was living in but to also keep the audience laughing,” shares Lottering on where he drew inspiration for the new offering.

Directed by Lara Foot and produced by Anwar Mc Kay, the role of Aunty Merle is played by Marc Lottering supported by a stellar ensemble including Royston Stoffels, Loukmaan Adams, Jawaahier Petersen and Carmen Maarman. They are accompanied by a six-piece band led by musical director, Trevino Isaacs with choreography by Grant van Ster. The show debuted in Cape Town to critical-acclaim and received 6 Fleur Du Cap award nominations.

“Fans can expect a brand-new story with a dynamic cast, beautiful original music, laughter, sadness and then some more laughter. Aunty Merle is outrageous with a good heart. She has the most ridiculously delicious gestures and dance moves which I would never be able to get away with in normal life,” he adds.

Aunty Merle Things Get Real is proudly brought to you by Blu Blood. The show runs from 16 February to 3 March 2024 at Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace. Performances run at 20h00 on Fridays & Saturdays with matinees at 14h00 on Saturday & Sunday. Tickets from R220 are available through Ticketpro and Spar Payzone kiosks.

“You will laugh until you cannot laugh anymore. It is a deeply therapeutic experience.” – Broadway World

“It’s a massive musical beast…including some 15 songs, either solos or full-company tunes. This, on top of a multi-part script with a lot of moving parts, and you’ve certainly got your money’s worth for a night out.” – Karen Rutter, Weekend Special

“Aunty Merle – Things Get Real – is a comic and musical triumph.” – The Cape Robyn

“The musical is refreshing and an excellent theatrical tonic of humour.” – IOL

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