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. So, head
for the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest.
Historically speaking, Burlesque was one of
the most popular forms of entertainment in American theatre from the 1930s
until the late 1950s, 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.
The Heritage Theatre’s production, which scooped
no less than three Mercury Durban Theatre Awards: Gary McKenzie (Producer); Liesl
Coppin (Best Performer), and Janine Bennewith (Choreography), is a cheeky,
sultry , sizzling extravaganza of song and dance centred on timeless characters
who work together, live together and love together. They include Fantasia,
(Marion Loudon) the club hostess 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, Louise (Lauren Laing) and the exotic
and erotic Swedish dancer, Delicia (Liesl Coppin), who says: ”not all lap
dancers are from Lapland.. shweetie”.
Conceptualized 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 to hear 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 hot dancers in Cathy Barry, Maxine Muir, Geezo
Peterson and Danny Guselli.
Each song is innovatively moved and staged
by Bennewith and designed to draw audiences into the fantasy and intrigue, and
with scintillating costumes, they are in for a feast as they enter into this
magical and enchanting world that is Burlesque.! Everyone’s invited.
There are three “previews” on February 26,
27 and 28 where a limited number of tickets will be available on a R195
buy-one-get-one-free basis. First come first served.
Burlesque then runs until March 24. Tickets R195 from Wednesdays to Saturdays
(R165 Tuesday evenings and Sunday lunchtime) All prices include the Heritage’s
good value two-course meal. A non-dining, “show only” option is also offered at
R120pp. Bookings on 031 765 4197 or online at http://www.heritagetheatre.co.za/
Heritage Theatre is situated in the Heritage Market in Hillcrest.
NB:This show is rated PG-13.
Posts
