(Pic by Val Adamson)
Well done to cast and
crew for this fabulous, festive, fairy tale musical! A story for the ages, for
all ages! (Review by Shannon Kenny)
Charles Dickens' A
Christmas Carol is given a fairy-tale spin in this delightful adaptation
produced by Durban's Young Performers' Project. Dickens' enduring characters
are cast in fairy-tale roles. We have Ebenezer Scrooge as the Big Bad Wolf; the
Crachits as Prince Phillip and Cinderella Charming; Jacob Marley as Jacob Midas
and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as Fairy Godmother, Old
King Cole and the Queen of Hearts respectively. Big Bad Wolf's misdeeds include
dissolution of a kingdom and inheritance appropriation (Prince Phillip's); home
foreclosure (the Three Little Pigs'); and general meanness and a disregard for
the feelings of others (everybody). The show blends well-known carols with
original music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur and Scott DeTurk. Daisy Spencer is
director and choreographer, with Des Govender as musical director and
production manager.
The curtain opens on our narrator, Mother Goose - played by
Mackenzie Jahnig - who introduces the story and the fabulous cast of fairy-tale
characters who join her for the rollicking company number, Once upon a time. Jahnig's Mother Goose is at once matronly and
cheeky, with enough jolly-hockey-sticks energy to brighten any room. She
sustains her no-nonsense perkiness throughout the show.
James Armstrong (Fake Santa in Elf; Donkey in Shrek and
Pres Roosevelt in Annie) plays the
suitably curmudgeonly and miserly Big Bad Wolf, skilfully making his way
through his transition to the big-hearted and kindly Wolf he should be in the end.
It is a joy to watch him perform in a demanding role where he is seldom off
stage. James can certainly add another feather to his cap with his Big Bad
Wolf/Scrooge.
The Three Little Pigs - replete with East End accents - are
realised as a tight little unit of sibling rivalry, kinetic energy and sheer
hip hop delight by Kaitlyn Rex (last seen as Annie in the eponymous musical), Anele Mtshali and Lungelo Ntsele.
Their punchy Chinny Chin Chin was a
clear audience favourite.
Matthew Brown, with a twinkle in his eye, plays Wolf's
kindly nephew Jack (he of the prolific beanstalk and free-range poultry -
you'll get it when you see the show). Jack and his sweet wife Mary (Ezekhethelo
Zulu) consistently extend a hand of kindness - because, well, that's what
kindness is - despite being rebuffed time and time again by Wolf who vilifies
his nephew's magnanimity.
The Charming family - Prince Phillip (Mzwakhe Bultitude),
Cinderella (Jenna van Eyssen), Hansel, Gretel and Tiny Tabitha - are true to
their name. Jenna van Eyssen is a generous and multi-talented performer - also
the show's assistant choreographer - who brings strength, warmth and grace to
her Cinderella, so fitting for a character 'holding things together' for her
penurious family. Mzwakhe Bultitude does a good job as loving family man and
Wolf's bullied clerk. And how could I not notice the sniffles and teary eyes
around me during the family's mellifluous God
Bless Us Everyone in the second act, led by the utterly adorable Tabitha
(Mackenzie Judge), Gretel (the aptly-named Larke Manto) and Hansel (Noah
Bassa).
Damien Butt (Lord Farquaad in Shrek) is a hoot as the gold-clad Jacob Midas - a disco
Ali-G-meets-Vanilla-Ice in gold chains and matching do-rag - there to give Wolf
a heads-up on his spectral visitors and a warning about the road to perdition
should the miser resist choosing a more righteous path. Multi-talented Damien
is also the show's assistant musical director, and a creative talent to keep an
eye on.
Wolf's transformation begins with visitations from the three
truth-sayers: Fairy Godmother, an effortlessly spunky Joslyn Walters; the
hilariously genial Old King Cole played by Clive Ngcobo and Thingo Dlamini as
the sassy Queen of Hearts. We're introduced to Little Wolf (Christo Burger) his
demure sister Fan (Scarlett Westdyk) and jolly Mr Fezziwig (Sakhiwesihle
Shibe), Wolf's first employer.
Some delightfully magical moments include a pas de deux with a young adult Wolf
(Nicolas Steyn) and Goldilocks (Jasmine Theron) and the children's chorus of
the most darling Dickensian waifs who seamlessly float in and out of scenes,
their voices ever so sweetly drifting out into the audience. All the big cast
numbers featuring the main and supporting ensemble cast come together just
gorgeously, every performer perfectly placed.
Kathy Singery once more pulls out all the stops as
costumier, bringing sartorial magic to the production. Nicolene Steyn's set
design is simple and effective. Dylan Heaton's lighting design compliments the
action beautifully and Ant Govender's sound design ably supported the story.
Daisy Spencer's direction and choreography once more allows
her performers to shine like the stars they are and Des Govender has all in
fine voice. Kudos!
Of course, in the end, our Big Bad Wolf is convinced of the
error of his ways and not only restores in full what was rightfully theirs to
those he's cheated, but builds a bridge to heal the rift he's caused with those
who love him - and whom he realises he loves, too.
The final medley had the audience on their feet and clapping
along. Happiness!
This show has all that you would want from a Christmas
musical - delight and melancholy, comfort and joy; a grumpy anti-hero who's not
so scary the littlies will be terrified; popular fairy-tale characters entertaining
us with jokes and puns aplenty; huge dollops of Christmas cheer and a very,
very happy ending that reminds us that Love is what makes us truly rich.
Well done to cast and crew for this fabulous, festive, fairy
tale musical! A story for the ages, for all ages! – Shannon Kenny
A Fairy Tale Christmas
Carol - The Musical runs in the Playhouse Drama until December 21 as
follows:
Tues 9 Dec – 14h30
Wed10 Dec – 14h30
Thurs 11 Dec – 14h30
Fri 12 Dec – 14h30
Sat 13 Dec – 11h00 and 14h30
Sun 14 Dec – 14h30
Tues 16 Dec – 14h30
Wed 17 Dec – 14h30
Thurs 18 Dec – 14h30
Fri 19 Dec – 14h30
Sat 20 Dec – 11h00 and 14h30
Sun 21 Dec – 14h30
A Fairytale Christmas
Carol is presented by The Young Performers Project, The Playhouse Company
and Pioneer.
Tickets (R180 to R230): Webtickets (please book through
Webtickets, and not through any other ticketing agent)
Show is 75 minutes. And there is one interval.