SA’s finest Leading Ladies of Musical Theatre perform for 67 minutes to celebrate Madiba

South Africa's finest Musical Theatre Leading Ladies will come together at this exclusive Blanket Handover to perform as a celebration of this extraordinary initiative, providing 67 minutes of truly stellar performances.

Stars include Kate Normington; Angela Kilian; Samantha Peo; Carly Graeme; Ilse Klink; Lindiwe Bungane; opera star Zandile Mzazi; Helen Desbois; Judy Ditchfield; Brenda Sakillarides and acclaimed newcomer Kiruna-Lind Devar, with special appearance by Ella Greally, will perform a largely musical theatre repertoire. The opportunity to see all of these stars on one stage is a rare one indeed. MC for the evening is seasoned entertainer and funny man Michael de Pina.

Together with Steyn and Daphne Kuhn, the newly revamped Auto & General Theatre on the Square will play host to the event. "Never before have all of these magnificent ladies performed together, on one stage, for one night. It is history in the making,” says Chet Diepraam, producer of the evening.

The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa will be sponsoring cocktails and dinner treats while members hand over their blankets. MAC Cosmetics SA will be ensuring that the stars dazzle, and fashion guru David Tlale will be dressing them in couturier gowns. Superlative sound design and technical aspects will be provided by ProSound.

It is important to note that all performers, venues, sponsors and organisers will give their services and talents free of charge for this initiative.

Steyn adds, "We are overwhelmed at the support that 67 Blankets for Madiba Day has received. Members of the public are making blankets with their own two hands, and in the spirit of our beloved Nelson Mandela, giving them over to keep someone warm this winter. We are thrilled to announce that the first handover of these blankets for the Johannesburg Chapter happens at the Leading Ladies show."

67 Blankets for Madiba Day has grown on Facebook and is now seeing men and women globally knitting or crocheting blankets to keep needy people warm this winter, in honour of Madiba, and linking in with Madiba Day and the 67 Minutes initiative, driven by The Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The next handover concert is scheduled for Monday, 23 June. Members of the 67 Blankets for Madiba Day group will be alerted in due course. "Stitch by stitch we can help keep people warm this winter, and in the winters after that," adds Steyn.