Arts Writer
AWARD-WINNING Mawonga Gayiya has performed his hilarious magic widely – from China to Las Vegas. With his latest show, Astonish, patrons get to experience an hour of non-stop laughs and gasps as Mawonga shares his life and magic – all 100% guaranteed to astonish.
Gayiya, born and raised in Khayelitsha, has been an entertainer his whole life. From the age of 10, when he joined the College of Magic, he began to developed his talents. In 2008 he got his first big break when he was selected to represent South Africa at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. Mawonga went on to win the Western Cape Junior Magician Championships and graduated from the College of Magic in 2009.
In 2010 he starred in the Imagine production at the Artscape Theatre, receiving a Silver Medallion for his performance. He was a finalist in the FISM Africa championships held in Cape Town in 2012. With the same spirit he carried the flag high in China, Shanghai at the International Magic Championships in 2013.Gayiya is also a member of the College of Magic teaching staff and assists with training programs for disadvantaged young enthusiasts in Cape Town, the rural areas of the Western Cape and in Kimberley.
Many will know him as Wonga Magic, who entertains at private parties. The entertainer’s biggest success in magic was producing his own, current, one man stand show – titled Astonish, which sold out at the College of Magic Theatre last year. In 2015 the show was produced and directed by ward-winning Stuart Lightbody.
With so much success and exposure SABC approach Gayiya and created a documentary around his life as an astonisher on 100% Youth for SABC 1.
Astonish was later seen at the 2015 National Arts Festival alongside some of the country’s top shows, and as Mawonga’s magic is completely astonishing the run sold out. Cue Newspaper’s take was that it is “Comparable to Trevor Noah back in The Daywalker days, his approachable humour takes on a tone that older audiences appreciate”.
The production is full of surprises, making you question whether Gayiya is a magician, or actually has supernatural powers.
The 55-minute show runs at the Alexander Bar from today until January 23 at 9pm on specific days. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
l Info: 021.300 1652. Book online or reserve your ticket without paying (but miss out on the discount): shows.alexanderbar.co.za or book directly from the bar.