Good news for cash-strapped music fans - Themi Venturas is offering low price previews of his hit musical The Guitar that Rocked the World from February 9 to 11 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on the University of Natal Durban campus.

"Money is always a bit tight for the first month or two of the year as we all recover from our festive season indulgences - so the first six performances of our high-energy musical will be priced with the budget-conscious in mind. Tickets will sell at R34 through Computicket," says Themi.

The previews are on February 8 (19h30), February 9 (18h00 and 21h00); February 10 (14h30 and 20h00) and February 11 (18h00).

This Durban season is hot on the tail of a balmy festive-season in Cape Town and will be the last chance locals will get to see this foot-tapping musical before it heads for Johannesburg.

The show focuses on some of the songs and performers associated with The Fender Strat (as it is known) - the musical all-American icon: like Harley Davidson, rock 'n roll and Disneyland. Among the impressive list of Fender Fans are Eric Clapton, Hank B Marvin, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly, the Beatles's George Harrison and Dire Straits's Mark Knopfler. Their passion about this remarkable musical instrument has contributed to make it one of the greatest guitars ever.

The production has been written and directed by Themi Venturas with Barry Thomson as musical director and Coral Chamberlain as choreographer. The Guitar that Rocked the World band comprises Barry Thomson (guitar), Dawn Thomson (keyboards), Mali Sewell (drums), Simon Pontin (electric bass), Andrew Turrell and Colin Peddie (guitar). Leo Fender is being played by Frank Graham, with the young aspiring rock star being played by 16 year old guitar whizz Rowan Stuart. Cape Town's Glenn Swart joins the cast. There is also a chorus of singers and dancers.

Book at the door or through Computicket, credit cards on (031) 304-2753. Or book directly on the internet at http://www.computicket.com. More details from Themi Venturas Productions on (031) 201 9242.