BANDS
SHOWSCAN
SA Bands for Unforgettable Corporate Entertainment
Whether you’re looking for sophisticated cocktail tunes, high-energy party anthems, or nostalgic hits from South Africa’s iconic 80s scene, SHOWSCAN has the perfect band for your event.
Our lineup includes Cula, a stylish and versatile cover band led by renowned performers; Out of the Blue, the country’s premier corporate party band known for its star-studded front line and unmatched energy; and Cinema, the legendary 80s hitmakers making a powerful return to the stage.
Explore each band below to find the perfect soundtrack for your next event.
the lineup
CULA
OUT OF THE BLUE
CULA - Premier Cocktail & Party Band
Cula is the ultimate cover party group, blending dynamic talent with an electrifying repertoire. Fronted by top South African entertainers Mortimer Williams and Hayley C. Francis, Cula covers everything from R’n’B to dance, classics to current hits – always tailored to your event.
Repertoire Includes:
Avicii, Black Eyed Peas, Adele, Shakira, Bruno Mars, Bob Marley, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Freshly Ground, and many more.
Mortimer Williams
TV, Theatre and Music artist,
Mortimer is currently one of Gauteng’s most sought-after performers. His engaging personality, amazing voice and celebrity status have made him a popular choice in recent years. The talented and energetic Mortimer has become a household name after starring in the hit TV series’ : Skeem Samm , 7 de Laan and playing the role of Ricci September in Erfsonders.
He will be joined by the equally talented singers Hayley C. Francis and Leote Taylor
Leote Taylor
Pop, Rock and Dance…she can sing them all. She has performed all over South Africa and Globally for various productions.
She is a formidable force in the band circuit – having been the first choice for many leading bands.
They are supported by our finest musicians on Keys, Guitar and Drums, Featuring Mike Todd on Guitar
Hayley C. Francis
Hayley has had a long and successful career, singing in bands. and musical stage productions. She has featured in shows, such as The Best of Girl Talk directed by Richard Loring, Motown Gold and Carlo Spettu`s, Sisters in Song. She starred in the hugely acclaimed Dream Girls which ran at Monte Casino….before recording her debut album “Christmas with Hayley” and was then cast as the lead vocalist at the Extravaganza at Sun City.
Craig Urbani
Craig Urbani is world renowned, a leading celebrity and our most
versatile performers. He shot to fame when playing Buddy Holly in the Buddy Holly Story, first locally and then on London’s West End. Not only is he a brilliant M.C., but also is one
of our most successful singers. His most recent claim to local fame are his roles in SWINGIN’ LAS VEGAS At The Teatro at Montecasino and Mr Higgins in My Fair Lady.
Out of the Blue - Timeless Party Energy
Out of the Blue has established itself as the busiest events, party band, in the country, formed in 2000 by Mike Todd (of S.A. Band “Cinema” fame) .The band wasted no time at all in building a reputation for great music and amazing live shows. Whatever the event or occasion, the band has the flexibility to cater for any specific requirement.
Playing all the top hits from 60’ right up to the very latest radio chart topping songs. Out Of The Blue can perform them all.
The band has played all over South Africa and abroad…hugely experienced, continually making them a number choice for any function or event.
Notable Clients: Coca-Cola, MTN, Microsoft, Vodacom, Discovery, Investec, and more.
Craig Urbani
Craig Urbani is world renowned, a leading celebrity and our most
versatile performers. He shot to fame when playing Buddy Holly in the Buddy Holly Story, first locally and then on London’s West End. Not only is he a brilliant M.C., but also is one
of our most successful singers. His most recent claim to local fame are his roles in SWINGIN’ LAS VEGAS At The Teatro at Montecasino and Mr Higgins in My Fair Lady.
Hayley C. Francis
Hayley has had a long and successful career, singing in bands. and musical stage productions. She has featured in shows, such as The Best of Girl Talk directed by Richard Loring, Motown Gold and Carlo Spettu`s, Sisters in Song. She starred in the hugely acclaimed Dream Girls which ran at Monte Casino….before recording her debut album “Christmas with Hayley” and was then cast as the lead vocalist at the Extravaganza at Sun City.
MIKE TODD
Mike is best remembered as the guitarist and songwriter for South Africa’s celebrated contemporary band CINEMA. He has produced and performed on 9 top selling CDs, while his songs have gone on to be major hits both in SA and abroad, particularly the Far East, where the single “Strangers Again” reached the No. 1 spot. More recently he has been the musical director on many shows in and around Johannesburg; including “Stars in Your Eyes” and 94.7 Heritage Day concert to name but a few. Mike also writes many jingles and company theme songs from his state of the art home studio.
LEAD SINGERS: Craig Urbani, Boki Ntsime, Andrew Webster, Candace Barnwell, Hayley C. Francis, Ally de Bruin, Hlengiwe Mabaso
Out Of the Blue presents some of the best frontline singers.
Experienced celebrities in the industry, who are all regular performs with this exciting band. The team prides itself in giving the client a bespoke service. So the entertainment is focused in providing exactly what is required for the perfect event.
CINEMA - South Africa’s Iconic 80s Band Returns
Cinema, one of South Africa’s most iconic original bands, is back! With chart-topping hits like Strangers Again and My Kind of Girl, Cinema’s reunion delivers nostalgia, energy, and pure musical brilliance. Now featuring original members Mike Todd, Chris Frank, and Larry Rose, with dynamic new voices including Steven Nel and Connie Bentlage (Sax & Keys), the band is thrilling audiences once again.
🎶 Experience the magic of the 80s and 90s – live!
Chris Frank
Chris originates from the UK but went to senior school in Pietermaritzburg. He became a sound engineer at radio five and joined a band called ‘Memory’ as the bass player. They soon turned professional and played on the vibrant touring circuit at the time.
After a decade or do the Drummer, Ian and Chris joined up with Alan Lazar and Jarrod Aston to form the band ‘Cinerma’.
In 1987 they got a record deal with Decibel Records. They released the album ‘Somewhere in Time’ which had a number of hits including ‘My Kind of Girl’, ‘Inside and Out’ and ‘Cynical Heart’. Ian left the band shortly after and was replaced by Mike Todd and they embarked on a number of national tours as well as taking up residency at popular clubs like the Thunderdome in Johannesburg and Limelight in Pretoria.
The band released a few more albums but in 1991 Chris decided to settle down and lead a ‘normal life’.
Though he carried on performing in various gig bands, Chris spent most of the 90’s and 2000’s writing music for television. He spent 8 years writing mood music for the soapie ‘Generations’.
He currently runs a home studio in Randburg and still composes pop and rock music when the urge arises.
The urge arose in 2024 to resuscitate the Cinema brand and now, after 30 years…. Cinema is back in town.
Mike Todd
Mike Todd started his music career in Durban in the 70’s, forming a band called ‘Alcatraz’ playing sessions in and around the Pinetown and Durban districts.
Alcatraz eventually turned professional and played nightclubs around South Africa & Zimbabwe.
Alcatraz signed a recording contract with Gresham Records and released a number of singles in South Africa.
Eventually, Alcatraz moved to Germany and recorded their first and only album called ‘Taipan’, their new name.
Taipan played shows in Germany and the UK but eventually returned to South Africa to work on another album.
Taipan disbanded in the early 80s and this is when Mike joined Cinema as a guitarist and songwriter.
Cinema achieved phenomenal success in the next 11 years. With 11 number ones on South African radio stations.
Cinema were released overseas and achieved a number one hit with their song ‘Strangers Again’.
Cinema disbanded in 1991 but reformed in 2024 with Stephan Nel, their new singer and Connie Bentlage on Keyboards and Sax.
Larry Rose
With 13 GOLD albums to his name, Larry Rose is one of the best in the business!
Larry started playing at the age of 7 and by the time he was 18 he had his own drum school in the Durban Arts Centre, Drum World. At the age of 21 he joined ‘Hotline’ of Jabulani fame which was one of the top bands in SA at the time.
He is also a session musician that has played on hundreds of albums. He has also taught at the Performing Arts Workshop and is currently teaching at the National School of the Arts. Also well known for playing with Steve Kekana and Margaret Singana of Ipi Tombi fame.
Stephan Nel
Stephan is South-African born. He is a singer, Production Designer, Producer, Creative and Artist.
He is an energetic, dynamic performer and loves people and a good ‘VIBE’. He is comfortable in all music genres. He gathered a wealth of experience in some of the most successful shows countrywide and abroad (Dubai, Zimbabwe, Las Vegas, Kentucky) being fortunate enough to work with seasoned producers, even performing for Royalty in Dubai, twice.
With more than 30 theatre productions under his belt, joining Cinema in 2024 as lead singer for this iconic band, is a big milestone. Stephan is also part of the independable artist organisation ‘Rug teen Rug”, an initiative by well-known South-African TV program ‘ontbytsake’
Connie Bentlage
With 34 years of stage experience and a Music degree in Music from WITS, Connie is a celebrated saxophonist and keyboardist known for her energetic stage presence and musical versatility. Connie can cater to a wide variety of genres and events, always adding a touch of class and sophistication.
As a musical director, she’s led acclaimed productions like The Sound Stage’s ‘Girl Talk’ (1998 – 2007), various Barnyard PRoductions such as ‘Roll over Beethoven’, ‘Glory Days’, ‘Natural Woman’ and many more. Her work as Musical Director on That’s be the Day’ led to a nomination for BEst Musical Director in 2005. She’s also shared a stage with legends such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Hugh Masakela, at President Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday celebration at Gallagher Estate and has been asked to perform multiple times for four of the South African Presidents.
Playing alongside Oliver Mtukudzi, Ray Phiri, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and High Masakela at the Mmino Festival in Durban (2009)
Performed with legendary bands such as Clout and the Helicopters
Performing with Neill solomon and his band, opening for Joe Cocker in Durban in 2008
Connie is now delighted to be playing with the legendary ‘Cinema’.
