ANYTHING GOES

Johannesburg’s Northcliff High School presents another win-win situation! (Review by Caroline Smart)

It’s a win-win situation!

Northcliff High School in Johannesburg bring their annual musical to Durban during the July holidays. The learners get to perform their highly professional production to a different audience and have a holiday by the sea into the bargain while the box office proves that Durban gets to enjoy the kind of Broadway/West End musicals it enjoys so much.

All kudos to Northcliff and, of course, to director Nick Jourdan who has driven this daunting administrative and logistical enterprise for so many years. The creative part is easy – there is abundant musical and dramatic talent at this school and the casts are always to be commended for their professional behaviour, composure and confidence.

This year, the musical is Cole Porter’s entertaining story Anything Goes which is set on board a cruise liner and has stood the test of time with its great music, ironic humour, 1920 styled dance numbers and a large number of featured performers, excellent for showcasing Northcliff’s talent.

Stand-out performances come from Jessica Urbani, a grade 12 pupil who has appeared in five former Northcliff productions and plays the sassy Reno Sweeney (the role played in the original production by Ethel Merman), and Siphephelo Ndlovu as Moonface Martin.

The half-sister of stunning South African export to the West End, Craig Urbani (the definitive lead in Buddy Holly), Jessica is a powerful all-rounder - as good a singer as she is an actress and dancer. With a performance maturity way beyond her years, she sets a high standard for the rest to follow.

Until two days ago, Siphephelo was one of the Sailor Sextet but an unfortunate accident to Frankie Shabangu catapulted Siphephelo into this pivotal role. The extraordinary performance he gave on opening night after only two rehearsals proves that he is observant, versatile and ready to take on a challenge. His Be Like The Bluebird was an audience favourite. Tough for Frankie Shabangu but a brilliant chance for Siphephelo – but such is showbiz!

Other performers to note are David Goldschagg (Billy), Tara-Lynne Sykes (Hope) and Andrew Freer (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh) - I loved his The Gypsy in Me. Nandi Makhoali was a delight as Erma, Chad Sterley as a myopic Elisha, Megan Mina as a Hope’s pushy mother and Zane Botha and Tariq Barnes as the Chinese converts. Alexander de Bruyn and Kent Jeycocke handled the roles of Ship’s Captain and the Purser.

The Northcliff productions bring their own well-designed sets with them and their costumes are always attractive and workable. Under the musical direction of Neil Bennett, most of the musicians are from Johannesburg with the inclusion of KZNPO trumpeter Cathy Peacock giving strong force to the vibrant Blow Gabriel Blow.

Anything Goes also includes memorable numbers such as You’re the Top, It’s De-Lovely, I get a Kick Out of You and All Through the Night.

Anything Goes runs in the Playhouse Drama until July 5 with performances at 19h30 and extra matinees on July 4 at 14h30 and July 5 at 15h00. Booking is at Computicket. Remember the cast names! Northcliff traditionally produces performers that make their way into the entertainment industry, doing justice to their director and their school. – Caroline Smart