By Nangamso Mabindla
28 July 2005

EARLY this year the Guild Theatre gave East London theatregoers its word 2005 would be a bumper year - and it is living up to its promise.

Now showing at the theatre is La Coco Roche, starring Lulu Davies and Owen Swanson. It is a truly South African story that pokes fun at people's need to drive the right car, wear the right clothes and eat at the right restaurants.

La Coco Roche is about Sheldon and Shavorn, who hail from Benoni and Rosettenville respectively and are on a quest to shed their "previously disadvantaged" backgrounds and make it on to the Sandton social scene.

Tickets prices are R35 for learners and pensioners and R45 for adults. The play runs until 30 July.

August also looks mouthwatering. First up are the Drama Workshops, presented by the Guild with the National Arts Council.

Then there is Mojo Man, an hilarious play about Reverend Lupuko who battles to hide the evil deeds he committed before he joined the priesthood. This tragicomedy, presented by Lovedale Public FET College, features a capella music and township jive.

Tickets cost R15 for learners and R25 for adults.

Also in August, Clarendon High School and Selborne College present Pumpkins on my Roof. It is a comedy about two domestic workers who travel from East London to Gauteng to fulfill a dream.

Tickets prices are R15 and R30 for learners and adults respectively.

The Drama Workshops, presented by the Guild Theatre with the assistance of the National Arts Council, run from Sunday, 31 July to Tuesday, 2 August. The facilitator is Ingrid Wylde. The programme is:

• 31 July: aimed at high school learners
  10am to 1pm (30 places): theatre-making in a minute
  2pm to 5pm (15 places): play-making, writing, conceptualising, devising theatre
• 1 August: aimed at up-and-coming directors
  9am to 1pm (15 places): structure of writing and scripting a scene
  2pm to 4pm (15 places): conceptualising and devising
• 2 August: aimed at up-and-coming directors
  9am to 1pm (15 places): adaptation
  2pm to 4pm (15 places): showing and crit, performances

For more information about the plays and the workshops, contact the Guild Theatre on 043 743 0704.