Running at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest from the end of the month to August 25, is Burlesque!“Burlesque! It‘s not a place. It’s not a time. It is a fantasy. It is intrigue. It is a feast for the senses,” say the organisers.
It is a cheeky, sultry, sizzling extravaganza of song and dance focused on timeless characters who work together, live together love together and even sometimes sleep together. They include Fantasia, the club hostess (Marion Loudon) and the sleazy, cheesy club owner with a superiority complex, The Master of the House (Gary McKenzie). There’s the powerhouse singer and main attraction, Daisy (Lauren Laing) and the exotic and erotic Romanian dancer, Delicia (Liesl Coppin), who says. ”not all lap dancers are from Lapland ... shweetie”.
Historically speaking, Burlesque was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in American theatre from the 1930s to the late 1950s. This was an era in which the art form's true stars possessed not only the most bodacious of bodies, but also extravagant costumes, playful choreography, a powerful sense of humour and, more often than not, an exceptional gimmick.
In recent decades, there has been a revival of the style of Burlesque, with the help of the 2010 film starring Cher and Christina Aguilera and a whole new generation has fallen in love with the art of Burlesque for its intrigue, spectacle and glamour. With an uninhibited atmosphere, Burlesque venues in the 30’s were renowned for their bawdy comedy and female striptease, with the ladies encouraged to show off their often more-than-ample figures.
Conceptualised and directed by Janine Bennewith and written and co-compiled by Gary McKenzie, the music moves from old time burlesque to comedy burlesque to the more modern day style. Expect songs like My Heart Belongs to Daddy, Hey Big Spender and Let Me Entertain You to Patricia the Stripper, When You're Good to Mama, Cell Block Tango and Razzle Dazzle, as well as Master of the House and Welcome to Burlesque. The show also features four dancers including Bennewith herself with Cathy Barry, Geezo Peterson and Danny Guselli.
Each song is innovatively moved and staged by Bennewith and designed to draw audiences into the fantasy and intrigue. With scintillating costumes, audiences are promised a feast as they enter into this magical and enchanting world that is Burlesque!
Burlesque! runs at The Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest from July 31 to August 26 with three promotions specials from July 31 to August 2 where a limited number of tickets for the meal and show are available on a buy-one-get-one-free basis.
Normal ticket prices R195 pp Wednesday to Saturdays (R165 pp Tuesday evenings and Sunday lunch times) include a two-course meal. A non-dining, “show only” option is also offered at R100 pp. Bookings on 031 765 4197 or visit http://www.heritagetheatre.co.za/ This show is rated PG-13.
Posts
