(Pic: Georgina Mabbett, Janine de Froberville, Richard Alberts, Doug Shewell, Hannah Thomson & Kerry Brown)First amateur group to perform at Heritage acquits itself well. (Review by Caroline Smart)
The Company of Theatre Arts may well be the first group of amateur players to grace Heritage Theatre but it certainly acquits itself well in this fast-moving musical production which pays tribute to the songs and artists who have had a number one hit, and often never heard of again.
One Hit Wonders is directed and choreographed by Fiona Barnes-Snyder, with musical direction by Liz Cunningham. With its 14-strong cast, it is an ambitious production to mount especially when the members are not full-time professional actors and work schedules have to be juggled for rehearsals and performances.
The Company of Theatre Arts (COTA) members are strictly amateur. It is a non-profit theatrical organisation that has been in existence in the greater Durban area for over 23 years. COTA’s ambition is to stage one production a year, aimed at giving up-and-coming performers the opportunity to utilise COTA as a starting point or stepping stone to launch a professional career, whilst giving others (who might be supremely-talented but don't wish to pursue a full-time stage career) the chance to entertain audiences in shows of an exceptionally high standard.
Current Durban professional performers who honed their skills with COTA include John Didlick, Gary Mackenzie and Grant Bell of The Gee Jays, Melanie Roberts, Karen Campbell-Gillies, Ricky McGregor and, more recently, Jonathon Didlick and Jacqui Majoor. Even Colin Moss started his career as a pre-teenager in a COTA production of Pippin in 1986.
Settings for the two acts are simple but effective – the first being a café street scene and the other a nightclub bar.
Introducing the show as a tramp character, Neil Snyder provides much amusement and in the second act he gets to wear some whacky outfits. Tall Scott McConnell provides a laconic foil for Jaco de Wet’s dof characters and Richard Alderts’ macho numbers while Doug Shewell impresses in the dance sequences. Female leads Georgina Mabbett and Leigh Meyer impress with their talents, they could walk onto any professional stage tomorrow.
The dance team comprises Hannah Thomson (who considerably impressed me), Janine de Froberville, Kerry Brown, Leigh Meyer, Tarique Mullany, Meghan Moore and Lauren Alblas.
My biggest problem – and one that is unfortunately a consistent one with the Heritage – is that the sound was unbalanced with backing tracks way too loud, often leaving performers at a disadvantage. A song is made up of two components – lyrics and melody – and neither one should overshadow the other. With tracks played at party-time level, one desperately missed the nuances, subtleties and musically dramatic moments of what is an impressive line-up of numbers.
I enjoyed Walking on Sunshine, My Boy Lollipop, Breakfast at Tiffanys, Bitch, I’ve Never been to Me, Dock of the Bay, Boots are made for Walking, You Light up my Life, Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head, Searching My Soul, Play that funky Music and Centrefold. Crowd favourites were Macarena, Mambo No.5, I Like the Way (You Move) and I’m too Sexy. Highlights for me were Raining Men and Knock on Wood
One Hit Wonders runs until October 3. Tickets R190 (Wednesday to Saturday at 19h00) include a two-course meal (R165 Tuesday at 19h00 and Sunday lunch at 12h30). There are several changes on the menu for this show. Starters offered Eish Chicken Livers and Asian Beef Salad but I chose the Spring Italian Salad and loved its clean fresh taste. On the main menu, there’s Mozzarella and Feta Stuffed Chicken as well as Foil Baked Sole marinated in Lemon, white wine and thyme – a good choice if you like your fish with a strong taste. I opted for the Premium Cut Sirloin drizzled with a Peppercorn Sauce which I enjoyed. The vegetarian option is Baked Mushrooms topped with Garlic and Mozzarella. The dessert menu is an optional extra.
Bookings on 031 765 4197 or online at http://www.heritagetheatre.co.za – Caroline Smart
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