By Nangamso Mabindla
1 February 2005

THE East London Guild Theatre has promised an exciting 2005 for the city's theatre lovers.

Kicking off what promises to be a bumper year for local theatre will be the South African Ballet Theatre's production of the classic tale The Nutcracker on Tuesday, February 1.

With its familiar music by Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, who is given a nutcracker by her uncle as a Christmas gift. In her quiet time, after all the guests have left, the nutcracker comes alive and Clara is taken on a magical journey through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets.

The South African Ballet Theatre tour, supported by the National Lottery Fund, also celebrates the company's fourth birthday.

The Nutcracker is just the start of many things to come, says Guild Theatre manager, Zane Flanagan. "This will be a busy and exciting year for all the staff at the theatre and - of course - for theatre lovers around the city."

Hot on the heels of the ballet will be the musical blockbuster The Music of Queen, starring Joseph Clarke.

Queen is remembered around the world for a diversity of hit songs, from the moving "Bohemian Rhapsody" to the head-bopping "We will rock you" and the uplifting anthem "We are the champions".

Equally, Queen is remembered for the startlingly lyrical yet raunchy voice of that ultimate of showmen, Freddie Mercury.

The Music of Queen takes place over the Valentine's weekend, from February 14 to 16.

The Guild Theatre is planning to support local schools since "they have supported us over the years", says Flanagan.

The Music of Queen will be a fund-raiser for a local school. Stirling High School is trying to raise funds for an overseas hockey tour.

But, according to Flanagan, these two showstoppers are just the entrees, with the main course to be served in March and April.

"Hudson Park High School will be celebrating its centenary and have booked the theatre in March. They will be doing Camelot, which promises to be very exciting."

This musical tells the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, focusing on the love triangle between King Arthur, Queen Guenevere and Sir Lancelot.

In April, Stirling High will be presenting A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare's exploration of love.

A Midsummer Night's Dream juxtaposes the concerns of a group of lovers, dealing with society's expectations against the fantastic world of the fairy king and his queen.

In addition to all the productions lined up over the year, the Guild Theatre dance company will be holding workshops in previously disadvantaged schools.

"We will go to Mdantsane, Ziphunzana, and Buffalo Flats and give children an opportunity to learn more about dancing," says Flanagan.

"We'll be showing them some dance moves and hopefully some of them will take up dancing as an art."

For more information contact the Guild Theatre on (043) 743 0704.