(Pic: Lloyd de Gier (left) and Marion Loudon (right), prime movers of the Stirling Theatre)New supper theatre venue opens with enthusiastic support at The Italian Club with “The Bald and the Beautiful”. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Lovers of supper theatre north of the Umgeni River have been starved of their favourite form of entertainment since the popular Langoustine Theatre by the Sea closed some years back. Now, however, supper theatre is alive and well in Durban North and hosted at the Italian Club in Fairway, thanks to the passionate energies of a group of theatre-makers headed by Marion Loudon and Lloyd de Gier.
Called The Stirling Theatre, the venue opened last night to a full and appreciative audience who sat back to enjoy the first performance of the opening show, The Bald and The Beautiful. Unfortunately, I had to leave at interval but offer my comments mixed with my 2009 review of the show when it was first presented at the Rhumbelow Theatre.
It’s a stellar line-up with three full heads of hair – a redhead, a blonde and a brunette – and one head with er … no hair. Hence the title!
Musical director, producer and pianist Evan Roberts joins up with his bevy of “beauties”– brunette Melanie Roberts (no relation), blonde Liesl Coppin and redhead Shelley McLean.
Taking a wry look at life, their friendships, and their celebration of music, The Bald & the Beautiful travels time musically with interesting arrangements and fine harmonies from soul to blues and pop to rock. Expect to hear numbers from Pussy Cat Dolls to Bob Dylan and Elvis to Carol King as well as Too much Heaven by the BeeGees to Simon & Garfunkel. Also on the programme are Mr Bojangles, Pianoman, Coldplays La Vida and Hallelujah.
This is a highly enjoyable and entertaining show linked with amusing banter. The performers not only know each other well on a personal basis but know every inch of each other’s professional skills. When they premiered this production last year they had done no less than 14 shows together over the years. This show reflects their treatment of all their musical styles - taking a song that they love, stripping it down to melody and piano, listening to the meaning of the lyrics and then re-arranging songs to suit their intuition, style and abilities.
The sound quality is good and the stage area is comfortably spacious. I would strongly urge support of this venue as Durban is desperately short of performance spaces. All kudos to the Italian Club for recognising this need and providing valuable support.
The Bald and The Beautiful has performances at 20h00 tonight (August 8) followed by August 21 and 22. The venue offers The Italian Club’s optional a la carte menu for patrons wishing to eat, and a fully stocked bar at affordable club prices. There is plenty of secure parking. Bookings through Marion on 082 970 0002. – Caroline Smart
Directions: The Italian Club is situated near the Beachwood Golf Course along Fairway which runs parallel to the M4. Approach it from Durban or Umhlanga along the M4, take the Broadway exit then follow the Fairway signs. If you are approach it via Durban North, come down Broadway and take the exit which is opposite the glide-on to the M4 towards Durban.
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