Comedy, Music And Dance Dominate The Baxter's 2018 Festive Season Line-up

This Summer, comedy, music and dance dominate the Baxter Theatre Centre's festive season line-up, as top local comedians and emerging talent heat up its stages, culminating in one of Cape Town's most popular and exciting New Year's Eve parties.

Set to be a highlight on the Mother City's December and January calendar, comedy shows present different perspectives on the funnier side of life in South Africa. After two sold-out seasons and four Fleur du Cap nominations, comedic genius Marc Lottering continues to with his beloved character, in Aunty Merle, the Musical. Firm favourite Nik Rabinowitz finds the humour in lessons learnt during Cape Town's recent water crisis in Dry White and the RAW (Real Art World) Festival will showcase 180 different acts in the Golden Arrow Studio.

Following two hugely successful sold-out seasons at the Baxter Theatre and four Fleur du Cap nominations later, Marc Lottering's hit show, Aunty Merle the Musical, triumphantly returns to the Baxter Theatre stage, with a few new cast members and some fresh plot twists as the drama unfolds in this fun masterpiece described by many as the quintessential South African musical.

Written by Lottering, directed by Lara Foot, with music written by Tarryn Lamb and Marc Lottering, choreography by Grant van Ster, and musical direction by Alistair Izobell, Aunty Merle the Musical is already regarded as one of the undisputed highlights of the Cape festive season and runs until 5 January 2019 at 7.30pm nightly with Saturday matinee performances at 2pm.

Nik Rabinowitz's hilarious comedy Dry White reminds us about the panic of the recent water crisis. Following its sold-out success earlier this year and since Cape Town seems to be in the clear for now, he is still battling to understand some millennial talk in a South African context. He covers being 'woke', love, infidelity, transphobia, B-Grade celebrities and, of course, the land issue. He tackles all these topics while recovering from his early onset of a midlife crisis, in this hilarious one-man show.

Over the last 17 years Nik has become one of South Africa's most established and well-loved comedians. Having toured internationally to countries like Holland, Australia, Canada, the USA and the UK, he has also performed at The Royal Albert Hall and on BBC 2's Mock of the Week. After spending eight years voicing several characters for the Emmy-nominated ZANews, Nik returns to the Baxter with Dry White, his twelfth one-man show, from 17 December 2018 to 12 January 2019 at 8.30pm nightly.

For the first time ever, The RAW Fest will bring together 180 amazing acts in 20 high-energy shows, exclusively at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio. The festival will feature some well-known headline acts like Chad Saaiman, Stuart Taylor, Yaaseen Barnes, Amy Jones and Jared Rickets, along with some sensational emerging talents.

RAW (Real Art Wednesdays) is an event that showcases some of the best performers from Cape Town in many different genres and styles like singers, bands, comedians, dancers, rappers, poets and beatboxers, packaged into one show filled with moments of magic, good vibes and most importantly RAW talent. The dynamic and fresh programme runs from 10 December 2018 to 5 January 2019, all at 8.30pm nightly. Every performance will be dynamic and different as all the acts change every night so be sure to check the Baxter website to book for your favourite line-up.

The 2018 Summer festive season will peak with the hugely popular, usually sold-out New Year's Eve Bash. True to tradition, some of the artists will lead the countdown on 31 December to herald in 2019 as the fun continues and the party begins. All shows will start later on the night and ticket prices will include entrance to the party, a complimentary glass of bubbly or juice, a live band and DJ on the decks who will play many favourite tunes to help ring in the New Year with joy and goodwill.

To be part of this grand celebration at the Baxter, whether for Nik Rabinowitz's Dry White, Marc Lottering's Aunty Merle, the Musical or the vibrant RAW Fest, as well as the New Year's Eve bash, booking is now open at Webtickets on 086 111 0005, online at www.webtickets.co.za or from selected Pick n Pay stores.

For discounted school or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities, contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or email sharon.ward@uct.ac.za or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email her at carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.