(Pic: The Gee Jays - John Didlick, Gary McKenzie and Grant Bell)GeeJays celebrate their 25th birthday with another amiable and entertaining show. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Presenting another fun and nonsense evening at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest in celebration of their 25th birthday this year, the hugely popular Gee Jays are back again in outrageous costumes – some new, some old – in their latest show Boep Idles. Despite all the fooling around in a wild array of hats and glasses, Gary McKenzie, Grant Bell and John Didlick always deliver the goods when it comes to the music.
John Didlick trots out his time-honoured and hugely popular character who gets everything wrong speech-wise but when he takes the spotlight for numbers like He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, you can hear the proverbial pin drop. Also providing much of the comedy is nimble-footed Gary McKenzie. With a mean falsetto (and an amusing take on Michael Jackson) he also gave us some delightful sound effects, giving a hint of what radio drama offers. Frantically holding onto a sense of dignity in all the joking repartee, Grant Bell provides a certain level of equilibrium although it’s a tough job and gives a good rendition of Cracklin’ Rosie.
Expect to hear legendary hits made famous by Nat King Cole, Cliff Richard, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, the Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John and Neil Diamond although at the end of the show, they take a quantum leap forward in time.
For this show, there’s a major difference in their back-up band with the welcome appearance of musical director Luke Holder at the keyboards (a delight to watch as his face mirrors the action), Greg Bedford on guitar, Deon Joubert-de Villiers on drums and Paul Prydderch on bass guitar.
As the title suggests, the show is obviously a spoof on Pop Idols. The basic premise is that it provides a look at how seemingly untalented artists can make the big time in spite of their complete lack of talent or ability. However, I was disappointed to see that the Pop Idols connection wasn’t explored further. A lot of fun could be had here with the comedy capacity of this threesome.
However, as it is – it’s an amiable and entertaining evening spent in the company of the GeeJays and it was good to see that the youngsters in the audience – there were about five teenage boys seated near us – responded to the humour and remained captivated throughout.
The stage setting is simple with sequinned curtains providing a good surface for the play of coloured lights, thanks to Tina le Roux’s lighting design.
The menu offers a good selection with starters including my choice of Melenzane Parmegano (Grilled Eggplant layered with Mozzarella and baked in a tomato sugo) as well as a Hearty Minestrone Soup and Cajun Chicken Salad. Apart from the Heritage’s regular standby Braised Lamb Shank (again my choice – it’s irresistible), there’s Marinated Half Baby Chicken, Grilled Line Fish and Vegetarian Lasagne.
Boep Idles runs until August 29 at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest with shows from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 19h00 (for 20h30) and R165 for Tuesday nights and Sunday matinees at 12h30 (for 14h00). Tickets R190 for the show and two-course meal (R100 for show only). Book online at www.heritagetheatre.co.za or call 031 765 4197. - Caroline Smart
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