Greek and pop songs on weekend menu

Live Show Beat, by Bob Eveleigh

THE PE Shakespearean Festival’s presentation of The Taming of the shrew is due to end its two-week season, weather permitting, with two performances at Mannville in St George’s Park on Friday and Saturday at 8pm each night.

The only other live shows of any consequence this weekend feature Yoti, the Johannesburg singer who bills himself as “Die Griekse Boertjie’’, and a salute to the band, Deep Purple.

Yoti is being brought to Port Elizabeth by the Hellenic Community for a single lunch-time appearance at the Hellenic Hall in Conyngham Street, Parsons Hill, on Sunday at 1pm.

The star, whose repertoire extends to include pop, country, gospel, opera and compositions in 10 different languages, will apparently be singing Greek songs from South Africa in Sunday’s programme.

Boasting overseas performing experience as well as a number of TV and radio appearances, he is certainly a unique artist in South African show business terms.

Tickets for the show, which include lunch, are priced at R50 (adults) and R25 (children) and may be arranged on  373-1022, which number may also be used to obtain further information about the show.

In the popular music and rock field, there is Made in PE, a tribute to Deep Purple, by Friendly City-based band, Illusion, at the German Club at 7.30pm on Saturday night.

With a portion of the proceeds going to St Francis Hospice, tickets are priced at R30.

The programme will range across the Deep Purple canon, including such classic hits as Black Night, Smoke on the Water, Highway Star and Child in Time.

This is a show that would seem to be a must for all “Purple’’ fans but one that will also be capable of enjoyment by anyone who appreciates popular music from the band’s era of most success, the 1970s and ‘80s.

More information: Rolene ( 082-2208131) or Derrick ( 083-5845858).