Binge watching the 031 'series'

A proudly single woman; a man questioning his decision to emigrate; the grand old dame of musical theatre; a man living with ADHD, a happily married couple, and a bunch of savvy kids rocking improv – these are some of the characters one can meet at the family-friendly 031 Theatre Festival at the Seabrookes Theatre at DHS next weekend

“It is such a great fest,” said singer and actress Lisa Bobbert, “It means all of us who are travelling to the Eastern Cape have an opportunity to perform in-front of a live audience. It also means that Durbanites who won't make it to the festival can have a tiny sampling of some of the best shows Durban has to offer. Drama is in short supply at the moment – so it is worth binging-watching some great pieces neatly packaged into one weekend. Think of it as watching a Netflix series over a weekend – only live.”

Bobbert presents Ethel (June 7 at 2pm; June 8 at 4pm), her latest one-woman cabaret tribute to the queen of musical theatre – the incomparable Ethel Merman, whose voice defined Broadway. 

“The show is based on the life and body of work of the incredible Ethel Merman – grand doyenne of musical theatre, both on stage and in Hollywood. So many amazing composers wrote for her and she was the muse for some great musical shows written especially for her: Gyspy, Call me Madam, Annie get your Gun and Hello Dolly.  I have grown to love Ethel – she was not a classic beauty; in fact she reminds me of everyone’s favourite aunt. But she has a great voice which belts out the numbers. She was an extraordinary talent, she didn’t suffer fools and had a great sense of humour. She intrigues and inspires me. Besides, I love doing the old-fashioned stuff.” said Bobbert. 

This year, the festival welcomes acclaimed Cape Town actress, Erika Breytenbach with her one-woman show I Can Buy Myself Flowers (June 6 at 6pm; June 7 at 4pm). Taking its name from Miley Cyrus’ song that became an anthem for single women the world over, it tells the story ofan estate agent in her fifties, who entertains as she reflects on the ups and downs of relationships, children, professional life and her women friendships.

Following phenomenal success at the Adelaide International Festival in Australia, Ben Voss will tour Becoming Benno (June 6 at 8pm; June 7 at 6pm) on his home ground. In this internationally acclaimed heartfelt comedy, Voss is detained by border officials at Sydney Airport due to an issue with his permanent residency visa. Will he be admitted or sent back to SA? 

Rewind to the nineties, when a group of Durban drama graduates, inspired by the BBC TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? created the hit theatre improv show, Comedy Games (June 7 at 8pm), which quickly developed a cult following and became the thing to do on a Friday evening. Now the original theatre show starring Patrick Kenny as MC is back with a hot new team of fine young actors.

Join Aaron McIlroy as he revisits one of his favourite one-man shows - ADHD (June 8 at 2pm). Facts and theories are turned on their heads as we get a bird’s eye view into the chaotic and beautiful mind of Aaron McIlroy, who has lived with this ‘gift’ for the last half century. 

The 031 Theatre Festival ends on a high note with the hilarious musical comedy, Date Night, starring McIlroy and Bobbert on Sunday, June 8 at 6pm. Tickets from webtickets