(Pic: Rudi Jansen as Cornelius; Carly Graeme as Mimi; Andrew Webster as Frederic; Mortimer Williams as Nigel)
From initial quirky format to full-on party mode, this show offers great entertainment. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Just opened at the Phantom Ship’s Upper Deck at uShaka Marine World is a new show titled The Best Party Show. Featuring mainly Johannesburg performers, it is directed by Neels Clasen and produced by Heidi Edeling and is compiled from the greatest party music written over the past six decades.
When I say “mainly Johannesburg performers”, it is because Andrew Webster – no stranger to Durban audiences through the many productions he has appeared in over the years here – has now relocated to Durban after an absence of 11 years. So we can rightfully reclaim his as our own. After all, he did major in guitar and voice while studying music at the former Technikon Natal and University of Durban Westville.
Andrew keeps very fine company in this production with the glamorous Carly Graeme, the exuberant Mortimer Williams and the genial Rudi Jansen. The show is created around the uppity lead vocalist of a band (Mimi) who suddenly is left without her musicians and has to perform solo. Her initial appearance is interrupted by a highly unlikely trio of misfits who look and sound like the local wannabees from a platteland dorp.
After listening to them perform a bunch of Afrikaans liedtjies in dreadful costumes with appalling choreography, she flounces off the stage leaving them to it. What begins to look like an off-fringe Grahamstown festival offering, suddenly takes a sharp turn as we begin to discover that – despite appearances (think Susan Boyle, the frumpy middle-aged matron who astounded the judges in a UK talent contest and has become a worldwide phenomenon) – these musos can actually crack it.
Mimi, who has been listening to them off-stage (while changing into something less soignée and sophisticated) begins to look at them with different eyes. They could be useful to her ... but there are a number of serious changes that have to be made first. When the second act kicks in, they’re all “on the same page”, as it were, and we get to hear some seriously good old fashioned rock ‘n roll from the new power-dressed foursome calling themselves Tanya and the Trilogy. Gone is the dof image – this band rocks.
Even the Upper Deck’s musical director, Shem Mahabeer, this time appearing on the drums, and bassist Prince Bulo get involved in the madcap action.
Expect to be entertained by numbers from Buddy Holly along with I am What I Am; Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Faith, I Kissed a Girl, Sexbomb, Stand by Me, Uptown Girl, I’m a Believer, Islands in the Stream, I Love Rock ‘n Roll and a whole lot more. Highlight for me was The Time of My Life with Carly Graeme and Andrew Webster, both strong performers bouncing off each other’s energy.
Dean Mellor’s lighting design is well planned, moving from a simple format to one that includes all the effects that the venue can accommodate as the show grows from its initial slightly quirky format to full-on party mode.
There was a serious sound problem in this evening’s performance, creating a hiatus in the otherwise well-structured performance as the cast had to leave the stage at one point while it was attended to, but hopefully this has now been corrected.
There were also a few problems with the buffet in terms of plates that were on the cool side and some of the items that should have been served much hotter. However, I understand that the food aspect of this supper venue is undergoing a revamp. If it’s as successful as the new setting where part of the buffet is presented on a dinghy with some delightful maritime touches, I have no doubt it will be a great improvement.
This show deserves a viewing as we don’t often get to see out of town performers of this calibre on the supper theatre circuit. Don’t forget to take a jacket as the evening breeze off the sea can be a bit chilly.
The Best Party Show can be seen on the Upper Deck of the Phantom Ship at uShaka from Wednesday to Saturday nights at 20h00 (dinner starts at 19h00) from April 29 to May 23. Tickets R150 pp include the buffet menu. Bookings can be made at 031 328 8068 or Computicket. – Caroline Smart
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