TV Star Chantal Stanfield Brings Hilarious Comedy FROM KOE'SIESTES TO KNEIDLACH to the Baxter Theatre

Following a hugely successful premiere season earlier this year in Johannesburg, Chantal Stanfield's FROM KOE'SIESTES TO KNEIDLACH comes to the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio as part of the BaxterTheatree Centre's exciting festive season line-up. This one-woman "kosher comedy", which is also penned by Stanfield, is based on real events and is directed by Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winner, Megan Furniss.

FROM KOE'SIESTES TO KNEIDLACH is a sort-of boy-meets-girl love story with a twist, a heart-warming and funny tale that reveals first-hand what it is like to be a goy, a Yiddish word used by some Jews to describe a non-Jew - and a coloured one at that - in the new South Africa. The play sees Stanfield tries to get to grips with a culture and heritage that is so vastly different to her own, yet sometimes surprisingly similar.

The bizarre, entertaining and true story of what happens when a girl from the Cape Flats gets involved with a Jew-ish boy from Joburg's East Rand raises all sorts of questions and awkward situations for the young bride-to-be. She navigates a world of new Jewish experiences, from meeting her boyfriend's family at her first Shabbos to late-night benching, as she wrestles with the confusion of her own identity. Then, there are other challenges like trying to learn and understand Yiddish, eating gefilte fish for the first time and, of course, dealing with decades-old faribels, or grievances. The drama involves a mix-up over things like what to wear to a bris - the ritual circumcision of infant boy - and being questioned about her afro hair, amongst other cultural comedies of errors. Furthermore, she deals with things like the omnipresent voice of her mother, her gay best friend and her first Rabbi, all the while trying to find lasting love.

Stanfield is a Cape Town-born actor, singer, dancer, voice-artist and stage and television performer. She graduated with a degree in Theatre and Performance in 2005 from the University of Cape Town and has since been performing both locally and internationally on screen and on stage. She can currently be seen in the popular television series GETROUD MET RUGBY, playing the role of Lindy Davids, the team's physiotherapist. Other television roles include that of Cecile Whittaker in 7DE LAAN, Dalene Philips in MONTANA and Prudence Plaatjies in S.I.E.S. Speaking about her new play, she says:

The journey between these two cultures, experiences and backgrounds is best described in the title, playing on the similarities and differences of the two cultures. Koe'siestes are soft, sticky Cape Malay doughnuts, lightly spiced with aniseed and cinnamon, dipped in syrup and covered in desiccated coconut while Kneidlach are Jewish soup dumplings made of matzah meal, eggs, water and fat, traditionally served in chicken soup and a staple on Passover. Also known as matzah balls. This story is about the joy and humour that occurred during this cultural coming together.

The music for the production is by Paul Choritz, with pre-show music compiled by RJ Benjamin and lighting design by Megan Furniss and Alfred Rietmann.

FROM KOE'SIESTES TO KNEIDLACH runs from 19 December - 6 January at 20:15 on Tuesdays through Saturdays. A matinee performance will be held on 23 December at 16:30. Ticket prices range from R100 to R140, with bookings online through Computicket, by phone on 0861 915 8000, or in person at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For discounted block bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993.

Celebrate the transition into 2018 by booking for FROM KOE'SIESTES TO KNEIDLACH with the Baxter's hugely popular New Year's Eve bash which will take place in the foyer after the performance on 31 December. The show will start at 22:00 on the night and the ticket price of R250 includes entrance to the party where guests can sip on a complimentary bubbly or orange juice, a spectacular balloon drop, a DJ on the decks playing all the best dance songs and a revelry that will have audiences ringing in the New Year with a skip in their step. Book early to avoid disappointment.

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