POP OP

Review of Westville Theatre Club production. (Review by Maurice Kort)

Apologies: this review should have been posted some weeks ago)

In a bold move, Jill Sysum, the Chairman of the Westville Theatre Club has devised and directed a modern pop musical using many songs by well known artists (but not necessarily to me) and woven them into a very commendable story. Since this involves a multitude of bad, bad, bad men and a hero it is presented in comic book style which stretches to the excellent programme, the sets, the costumes and the exceptionally good makeup (think of The Joker in the latest Batman film The Dark Night and other villains of the Batman films).

This, in a nutshell, has resulted in Pop Op, an original fun musical. Add great singing and amazing choreography and dancing and one has a show up to the usual high standard one has come to expect from this theatre club, amateur they may be, but they are professional in every way, clearly as a result of their passion, drive and attention to detail.

Befitting the comic book concept, Shadow (Lawrence Sysum), suitably masked and dressed in sombre black, steps up to the podium to set the scene. The balance of good and evil has swung almost completely to the bad side and the once beautiful and peaceful city of Sockem.com is ruled by the wicked Jazzman (Bryan Payne) and his evil henchmen Top Hat (Rashid Fataar), Arabesque (Kirsten Holder), Candy Man (Devin Moller), Baby Louie (Jerryn Fosteras), and Pinball Wizard (Ross Thomson). Don't you just love these names?

The curtain subsequently opens to a splash of colour with the cast singing Enter the Circus, led by an imposing Jazzman. Hero (Carl Parsonage) has been taken captive and imprisoned in a magical sphere and there is Layla (Sarah Joubert) the love interest. Then there are the members of the Baddy Chorus and the Goody Chorus. The cast has many old faces (i.e. familiar) from several past shows as well as new talent, hopefully ensuring that the WTC will continue to go from strength to strength.

Each of the leads has an opportunity to display his or her vocal talents in several numbers to keep the action moving. I did not always hear the words too well, of both the leads and the chorus, often because the musical backing of the very good Westville Theatre Club band - Lesley Little (piano and keyboard, and Musical Director), Allen Finstone (drums), Anthony Botha and Hylton Blignault (guitars), Paul Prydderch (bass guitar) and Ralfe Poisson (keyboard, cello and violin) - was too loud.

Arabesque frees Hero who finds the "Love Stone" which swings the balance of good and evil back over to the good side with even the “baddest” of the baddies moving to the good side - and rousing finales.

The sets, designed by Jill Sysum also reflect the comic book character of the story, the very colourful costumes (Linda Hoddinott) and the choreography (Coney Bundock, Andrea Zorab Kaminski, Tony Fourie, Dani Cook, Jerryn Fosteras, Celeste Nel and Kirsten Holder each being responsible for various numbers) as well as the lights (Ivor Bundock and Durab) and sound (Martin Little) all deserve full credit for their excellence.

It might be mentioned that the Westville Civic Centre which once boasted excellent lighting and sound facilities now has absolutely nothing and the excellent lighting and sound equipment all have to be supplied by the Club. It is to their credit how well equipped they are.

Pop Op has been running at the Westville Civic Centre from September 25 and as the last performances are on October 3 and 4 (when there is a matinee as well) there are few opportunities remaining to see the show, at R70 a ticket.

Booking is through Haircraft, telephone 031 266 5239, and one is encouraged to bring a picnic basket. There is a cash bar available, manned, or rather "womanned" by some very spirited young ladies (pun intended). It might also be mentioned that much of the proceeds go to charities supported by the Westville Theatre Club. Indeed the proceeds of two nights were to support Jes Foord and her POWAR (Protect Our Women Against Rape). The performance I saw earlier tonight was one of these and the show was preceded by an address by Jes Foord of her experience, a truly inspiring lady, determined to be a survivor, not a victim. Much strength to her and her plans. – Maurice Kort