YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

Highly professional musical about much-loved cartoon characters. (Review by Caroline Smart)

Durban Girls’ College is presenting a short season of the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M Schultz, book, music and lyrics by Charles Gesner with permission from Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.

The stage is transformed with Greg King’s bright and cheery set, the band placed at the back of the stage surrounded by what, at first glance, looks like a wiggly picket fence but closer observation reveals piano keys. The huge sized couch and kennel which fairly dwarf the characters remind us that the story is about children and a beagle of great attitude!

Said beagle is, of course, the one and only Snoopy who has delighted young and old for over 60 years and he is normally depicted in the cartoon strip as lying on the roof of his kennel, wryly observing the world of his young master go by.

The favourite characters are all there, with Annabelle Nichol taking the title role of Charlie Brown. She puts in such a fine performance as a boy that I had to keep reminding myself of her gender. She’s disarming, giving the right level of vulnerability as Charlie Brown battles with his low sense of esteem.

Minette Zwart is deliciously snippy and manipulative as loud-mouthed Lucy who wants to be a queen, while Brigette Bielovich gives stature and calm to the musically-intense Schroeder who is continually trying to extricate himself from Lucy’s clutches. They have a delightful scene when she tries to distract him as he’s playing the Moonlight Sonata.

Lucy Colepeper is disarming as the ditzy Peppermint Patty and Khanyisile Mlaba is highly amusing as Linus who is permanently attached to his blanket.

As Snoopy, Ze Mncwango shines in a spunky energetic performance, particularly as Snoopy’s dream hero – the World War 1 fighter plane pilot who is forever at odds with his arch enemy, the Red Baron. She’s also a delight in a Broadway musical type number.

Highlights of the show included the scene where the five children are writing an essay on Peter Rabbit as well as the popular numbers Suppertime and Happiness.

All kudos to director Wendy Watson, associate director/choreographer Kenlynn Sutherland, musical director Ronel Perks, lighting designer Tina le Roux and Black Coffee, who was responsible for sound. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is not the easiest of musicals for young people to tackle and the second half doesn’t compare with the first, but this is due to its structure and not the fault of the director or performers.

The all-round professionalism of the production - from the standard of direction, to the mature and focused performances of the cast as well as the excellent musical back up and lighting/sound/backstage support begs a question. Isn’t it time that Durban Girls’ College looks seriously at creating a space in their well-situated grounds for a real theatre? DHS has Seabrooke’s Theatre and Westville Boys High has the Roy Couzens Theatre. It’s time the girls stood up to be counted!

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown has one more performance tonight (March 25) at 19h00 in the DGC Centenary Hall. Tickets R70 booked through Mrs Jacci Lewis on 031 268 7239 or email jlewis@dgc.co.za – Caroline Smart