GREAT DAMES

Give yourself a treat, in my opinion, you will not be disappointed. (Review by Maurice Kort)

For a change Durban has not been bypassed and Colin Law for Afro Asia Event Specialists is to be praised for bringing a star of Christine Pedi's calibre to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre for her tribute to the Great Dames, the songs about and made famous by the great ladies of stage and screen. She is ably assisted in no small measure by Matthew Ward at the piano who also contributes the odd vocal accompaniment and much humour, subtle and blatant. Indeed, Christine Pedi mentions as much during the show.

From his entry onto the stage and to the piano followed by her resounding belting out of Nothing Like a Dame, the audience is aware of the huge treat in store for them - and they responded eagerly and joyfully. From the start, the clever humour and star quality of Christine Pedi is immediately evident. She has very deservedly won wide acclaim for her magnificent, hilarious and spot-on impersonations of top stars of stage and screen and a hint of what is to come in this two handed show is given in the additional words and asides in this well-known song from South Pacific, such as I'll Never be Hungry Again from Gone with the Wind, the Come and See Me Some Time of Sophie Tucker and much more - and this is just in the opening song.

Much is made of Christine Pedi's childhood adoration of Julie Andrews and her rendition of A Spoonful of Sugar with delightful additional words and as it would be sung by a much older Julie Andrews. Further highlights in a show filled with them are performances of Tomorrow from Annie, When You're Good to Mama from Chicago, and a delightful skit of a hit song from Les Misérables with very clever lyrics. Christine Pedi bemoans that British actors and actresses scoop many of the Tony Awards in the stage imports from the West End to Broadway, which leads into a brilliant take-off of Why Can't the English? from My Fair Lady as Dame Judy Dench.

The films of Doris Day and her legendary virginal roles come in for much hilarity in a parody of the song "Que Sera Sera". The impersonations of Bette Midler, Ethel Merman, Liza Minnelli, Sarah Brightman, Judy Garland and particularly Barbra Streisand are incredible. The transformation into these great dames is complete in voice, body movements and even looks, so good are the impersonations of their singing and songs. Fans of musical theatre can only be enthralled by the artistry of Christine Pedi and her very clever and witty linking of the songs and characters into her highly entertaining show. Her take on what if Jane Austin had been a songwriter instead of an author gives rise to another of many very funny songs.

Given the nature of the show, Christine Pedi's comments on her being drawn to the character of "Sybil", who had 16 personalities, is inspired. Not to be outdone by those split personalities, Christine Pedi gives her impersonation of a song being performed by no less than 17 women, starting with Eartha Kitt, truly amazing.

Great Dames can be seen at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on the University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban campus, where there is secure parking, from November 4 to 16, nightly at 20h00 on Tuesdays to Saturdays with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Booking is at Computicket and there are discounts for pensioners, student and children. Make every effort to see this most entertaining show which received a standing ovation when I saw it. Give yourself a treat, in my opinion, you will not be disappointed. – Maurice Kort

STOP PRESS: There is a special ticket offer of Two for the Price of One available at the theatre’s box office an hour before the show.