The 19th Shall We Dance at the Playhouse Opera an evening of superlatives. (Review by Maurice Kort)I don't know where I have been the last 18 years but this is the first time I have seen this annual award winning dance extravaganza Shall We Dance directed and produced by Neville Letard and Caryl Cuzens in association with the Playhouse Company and the South African Dance Teachers Association KwaZulu-Natal. It is a delight from start to end and the talent from all involved is mind boggling, especially considering they are all amateurs, albeit with many championship titles.
The dance companies involved are Neville Letard's 'nSync, Ryan Yunnie's Dance Basics, Pam Gandy's Razzmatazz, the Mark Wilson Dancers and The Young Dancers' Project (Minette de Klerk, Candice Danielz and Penny Lundall). Joining these versatile dancers are the special guest artistes Danny Stowell and Kate Moore from England, currently ranking in the top 12 amateur Latin Rising Stars in the 2010 United Kingdom and British Opens - and no wonder - and Devon Snell and Meagan Lottering from Cape Town who continue their climb to stardom in the amateur ranks. In addition, Statik (Selwyn Rautenbach and Clinton Green) make a welcome return after their very well received appearance in last year's production and their Pop is a show stopper. Back by popular demand, Damon Beard of East Coast Radio is once again the compère for Shall We Dance. Making a very welcome debut is Jaziel Vaugh'hann, another talented product of KwaZulu-Natal.
Complementing this amazing line-up of musical talent - Damon Beard even takes a turn at the waltz with a volunteer from the audience - are excellent backing tracks - the opening overture I've Got Rhythm sounded as if there was a live orchestra in the orchestra pit. In addition there are superb lighting effects, magnificent chandeliers and set changes with the Playhouse having pulled out all the stops. There is never a static or a dull moment. The Phantom of the Opera number could have come straight from the West End.
The directors have compiled an evening to include many dance styles, with an underlying ballroom and Latin American theme covering both these styles as well as hip-hop, modern, ballet, tap, Spanish and American smooth. Indeed the Spanish dancing number Concerto de Aranjuez, South Africa's own version of Cirque de Olé (Gopher Mambo) and Slap that Bass by the Young Dancers' Project showed unbelievable talent and precision. Also particularly enjoyable, in an evening of one highlight after another, were With One Look and It Don't Mean a Thing (Devon and Meagan); Jazz Machine and My Baby Just Cares for Me (Danny and Kate); Pink Panther and If They Could See Me Now ('nSync); Angel and I Left My Heart in San Francisco (Jaziel and Razzmatazz); If I Were a Boy (The Mark Wilson Dancers); and Baby (Dance Basics)
This glorious 19th annual Shall We Dance dance extravaganza featuring over 100 dancers and top award-winning soloists has a short season until September 25. Tickets R100 (R60 pensioners/scholars. The Heritage Day (September 24) show at 15h00 offers tickets at R60 throughout (no concessions). There is also a matinee on September 25 at 15h00. Other remaining performances are at 19h30. Booking at Computicket. – Maurice Kort
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