MARY CHRISTMAS

Ever popular drag show flows smoothly with great interaction amongst the cast. (Review by Maurice Kort)

The Rhumbelow Theatre stage is now a bar lounge for Mary Christmas, the latest show of The Family Players, the group of comedy drag mime artists (Greg Baptie, Derek Pearce, Alan Quilhampton and Roland Stansell) to whom Rhumbelow owes its existence. Here they are joined by friends Sam Marais, Belinda Dolphin and Lorraine McVean. This makes their ever popular drag show with its large loyal fan base flow more smoothly into a tight show with great interaction amongst the cast.

The effervescent Sam as the omnipresent barman, who also tickles the ivories at every opportunity, and the laid back styles of Belinda (In My Daughter’s Eyes) and Lorraine (Piano Man, Sweet Caroline) nicely balance the over-the-top, in-your-face, performances of the drag numbers. They have the lip syncing down to a fine art and one has to remind oneself constantly that they are not the singers.

Derek is the star of the show, particularly with Nobody Does it like Me, Don’t Rain on My Parade and Every Man I Love Is Married Dead or Gay and a show stopping Backwards Barbie in the most outrageous wig of the evening. Equally accomplished are Better Get This Party Started, I Who Have Nothing and My Baby Just Cares for Me (in very tipsy mode) by Greg and Alan shines with I’m Not Bitter. In other songs, his feigned boredom is a delight. Roland’s Big Spender was suitably camp but he does tend to be a little over the top at times.

Sam Marais does enjoyable renditions of Goodnight Sweetheart, Somebody to Love and Luck Be a Lady Tonight and several duets with Belinda and Loraine who shine with their Midnight Special as do Derek and Alan Quilhampton with Maybe This Time. Then there are the fun Don’t Fence Me In by Greg, Alan and Roland, their Cowgirl routine backing of Belinda’s Whose Bed Has Your Boots Been Under and Witches Brew.

Roland and Alan’s take on Barbie Girl (in German) did not quite hit it off with me, the words were unclear - but the costumes were stunning. The “ladies” outfits are once again highlights of the routines.

Starting to wonder at the relevance of the title of the show to its content, the numbers swing into the Christmas mode with the rollicking Silent Night in red and white costumes that Santa has never seen. Belinda’s hat should be marketed. There is the fun Rooi Rok Bokkie and the sweet All I Want for Christmas is You (Belinda)

Remaining performances of Mary Christmas can be seen at the Rhumbelow Theatre, Cunningham Ave off Bartle Rd on December 3 and 4 at 20h00 as well as December 5 at 18h30. The venue opens 90 minutes before the show for a picnic dinner with braai facilities being available. With a bar available, no alcohol may be brought onto the premises. Tickets R100 booked through Computicket or phone Roland on (h) 031 205 7602, Cell 082 499 8636 or email roland@stansell.za.net – Maurice Kort