9 children from the Diepsloot informal settlement were treated to an unforgettable afternoon as they got to experience the Beautiful Creatures production at the Montecasino Pieter Toerien theatre.  Pictured here are the children of the Akani Foundation with some of the Beautiful Creatures characters - Imvubu the Happiest Hippo, Mafutha the Elephant, Morris the Funky Monkey, Georgina the Gentlest Giraffe, Tallulah the Tortoise and Lucas the Lazy Lion – and Bryan Hill, General Manager at the Teatro at Montecasino.

The visit was sponsored by Showtime Management for Montecasino as an extension of the ‘Lifeskills through the Arts’ programme – a collaborative venture between local performing arts academy, Beyond the Stage Door (BTSD), owned and operated by Steven and Rochelle Hicks and Montecasino. Through this initiative, 120 children from the community are taught lifeskills through the performing arts such as singing and dancing at the Akani after school care centre in Diepsloot. Montecasino funds the programme and the three Southern Sun hotels in the Montecasino precinct provide assistance by supplying each child with a meal every Saturday.

Says Bryan Hill, “The idea was conceived when Broadway in South Africa, a not-for-profit US organisation that provides a cross-cultural exchange between youth in need and artists who choose to use their talents for positive global change, came to Montecasino to discuss possible joint projects. They have been involved in South African townships for the last three years and teach lifeskills through a performing arts programme. We were inspired and consequently contracted Beyond the Stage Door to present a similar programme in Diepsloot.”

“This successful initiative has given us the means to provide gifted youngsters from Diepsloot with the knowledge, confidence and lifeskills needed to reach their highest potential through the performing arts – and the opportunity to see Beautiful Creatures was just an additional gift to these remarkable children,” concludes Hill.

Beautiful Creatures is a co-production between Showtime Management and Beautiful Creatures, and is proudly sponsored by Jelly Tots. Last year’s production won the Naledi Theatre Award for “Best production for children”.

On stage until 23 December, the show is under an hour long and ideal for the whole family! Book now at Computicket, the box office at Montecasino and at the Pieter Toerien Theatre. For more information visit www.beautifulcreatures.co.za.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MONTECASINO BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS.  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JENÉ GODFREY ON (011) 672-2037 OR jene@stratpr.co.za