By Nangamso Mabindla
15 November 2005

FROM the flamboyant Nataniël to the fairytale romp of Jack and the Beanstalk, the Guild Theatre has lined up a feast of performances for the holiday season.

First up is Nataniel, who struts his stuff for two evening performances on 18 and 19 November.

"Recently Nataniël treated fans to a sold-out season of his productions My Name is Diamond and Nataniël and Friends," says theatre manager Zane Flanagan.

"His two concerts will not only include highlights from these productions but will also feature new and original songs, new arrangements of well-known favourites, belters and torch songs, comedy, music from his latest album, and stories and sketches in English and Afrikaans."

Accompanying Nataniël will be pianist Charl du Plessis. The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are R80.

That show is not suitable for children; for them there is the ever-popular annual pantomime. This year it is the turn of Jack and the Beanstalk, which runs from 7 December to 22 December.

This fairytale is about a boy called Jack - lazy, unscrupulous but with a heart of gold - who is sent to market by his mother to sell their one and only cow, Daisy. Having sold Daisy, on the way home Jack is tricked out of his money and has to take a handful of beans to his mother.

She is not pleased and tosses the beans out of the window in disgust. A beanstalk grows, which Jack starts climbing. At the top he encounters a giant. And so the fun begins.

"It's very popular and we are expecting the Guild to be packed; and like any other fairytale this one has a happy ending. Jack gets his treasure, slays the giant, chops down the beanstalk and everyone lives happily ever after," Flanagan says.

Musical direction is by Telana Fourie, with Tersa Harley the vocal coach. Choreography is by Natalie Oberem and the Guild Theatre Dance Company.

"It's going to be an excellent production," promises Flanagan.

Tickets start from R45 for adults and R40 for learners. For more information contact the Guild Theatre on 043 743 0704.