(Pinkie
Mtshali & Thulile Zama)
Pinkie Mtshali has a good 25 years in the
professional theatre industry in Durban and further afield and her music styles
range from operatic to African contemporary. Generously built with an equally
expansive smile and sense of humour, she is the lead vocalist for the Durban
Divas cabaret trio.
In an interesting move into the cabaret
genre, she has teamed up with Thulile Zama from the popular female jazz
ensemble, Heels Over Head. This creates a meeting of two styles from equally
talented performers which has every potential to become very strong
partnership.
Having a short run at Rhumbelow Theatre
this weekend, Mtshali and Zama’s double bill programme offers the opportunity
to see two of Durban’s strongest singing talents share their abilities in a
programme which is engaging, highly amusing and enjoyable.
The double bill features two one-acters: Victoria Kay - The Township Diva and Big Gals Don't Cry.
Victoria
Kay - The Township Diva sees Mtshali as Victoria
Koekmoer. It tells the history of a young girl who was stage struck from the word
go – a parallel to Mtshali’s own experience. Parents and friends warn her
against going into the entertainment business but she goes ahead, anyway.
Some of the songs are original from Mtshali’s
latest album, Now is the Time, alongside
a random selection of numbers ranging from Somewhere
over the Rainbow to an African
collection – Mtshali dressed in splendid Zulu bling with colourful feathers – such
as Mama Themba; The Lion Sleeps Tonight
and Patapata. As she moves towards a
jazz focus, she introduces her pianist, Mr Kit Kat (Quinton White). Last night,
White had to step in at the last moment to do the voice-overs live because of a
technical hitch.
After interval, Zama joins Mtshali in Big Gals Don't Cry, where two performers are preparing for their
stage appearance (although this isn’t clear until later) and delight in the
costumes available in the dressing room. They
bemoan the lack of partnerships in their life. Mtshali has the self-confidence
to make fun of her size wherever she can, especially when approaching a member
of the audience who naturally appears nervous when she suggests that she sits
on his lap! In response to the question as to what happened to one of her short
boyfriends, her dry response is that she “sat on him by mistake”!
The two performers match each other well in
energy and vocal range – Mtshali offering the more dramatic presentation, while
Zama renders a cool jazz feel. Memorable numbers were I am Beautiful, Woman, Crazy, Fever, Vulindlela, Big Spender, Night and Day and It's Raining Men.
There are two more shows: tonight
(Saturday, June 8) at 20h00 and on June 9 at 18h30. The venue opens 90 minutes
before show for picnic dinner. Tickets R100 (less 25% pensioners and tables of
eight or more). Take along food picnic baskets and braais will be available.
There is limited secure parking and booking is essential. A cash bar is
available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Rhumbelow Theatre is
situated in Cunningham Avenue off Bartle Road.
Booking is through Computicket or contact
Roland on 031 205 7602 (h) or 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net – Caroline Smart
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