(Barry Thomson; Grant Bell; Gary McKenzie and John Didlick)
Four very good reasons to see Book Club - The
Gee Jays, The Reals, an excellent meal and … Liesl Coppin. (Review by Keith
Millar)
If longevity is used as a measure of
popularity then the Gee Jays must rate as one of Durban’s favourite cabaret
groups. Comprising of Gary McKenzie, John Didlick and Grant Bell, the Gee Jays
have been performing their brand of down to earth, no nonsense, comedy/music
shows for over 25 years and they still remain as popular as ever.
They are now back at the Heritage Theatre
in Hillcrest with one of their much loved shows, Book Club. First performed at the Langoustine by the Sea theatre 12
years ago, the production reveals what actually happens behind the closed doors
of the book club meetings enjoyed by so many women.
The Gee Jays produce their usual variety of
fun, with nonstop cheesy puns and risqué jokes to go along with a wide variety
of good music. They perform songs such as Heartache
Tonight - the Eagles, Another
Saturday Night - Cat Stevens, She’s A
Lady- Tom Jones, Ob-la-di Ob-la-da
– Beatles, My Dingaling- Chuck Berry,
Smooth – Santana, Are You Lonesome Tonight – Elvis,
amongst many others. They also offer brief skits on subjects such as the latest
pick-up lines, give a sex toy demonstration, and perform as male strippers. It
is bawdy and naughty and had the audience in stitches.
However, the star of the show is without
doubt the incomparable Liesel Coppin. Adding more than a little glamour and sex
appeal to the show, she delivers a fabulous comedy performance. She introduces
five very diverse female characters who bring to life what actually happens
behind the scenes at book club. Every one of them is an accurate and very funny
caricature and is delivered with superb comedy timing and skill. None more so
than her hilarious thrice-married and vey inebriated book club member. She is
side-splitting as staggers about the stage to the strains of Frank Sinatra’s That’s Why The Lady Is A Tramp sung by
Grant Bell. Coppin also has a very good singing voice as she shows with songs
such Carley Simon’s You’re So Vain and
Dolly Parton’s Nine To Five.
An added bonus with this show is the live
musical backing provided by the marvellous Heritage Theatre resident band, The
Reals. They consist of the show’s musical director, Dawn Selby, on keyboards,
Barry Thompson on guitar, Jason Andrew on bass and Mali Sewell on drums. As
always, they provide a very accomplished backing, and, on this occasion, they
provide a few numbers of their own such as Wilson Picket’s Midnight Hour and Bachman Turner Overdrives You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.
As one has come to expect the food at this
super theatre venue is expertly prepared and very flavoursome. My wife and I
both chose Peri Peri Calamari for starters. This comprises tender calamari
strips in a creamy, mild peri peri sauce. It is an aromatic and tasty dish. The
other starters are a Frittata and Soup of The Day. For her main course my wife
chose her favourite Crumbed Chicken Fillet and reported that the oven baked
chicken breast was moist and full of flavour. My choice was the Pork Neck
Steak. This is fast becoming somewhat of a signature dish for the Heritage
Theatre. It is slow braised with mirepoix and a petite pinotage wine. The meat
is melt-in-your-mouth tender and it has big robust flavours. The other mains
are Cannelloni Duo and Oven Baked Sea Catch. A variety of desserts are
available but are not part of the cover charge.
So, as I see, it there are four very good
reasons of going to see Book Club: The
Gee Jays, The Reals, an excellent meal and, the cherry on the top, Liesl
Coppin.
Book
Club runs at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest
until July 7. From Tuesdays to Saturdays the doors open at 19h00 for dining and
the show starts at 20h30 (Sunday dining is at 12h30 with the show at 14h00) Tickets
R195 Wednesday to Saturday (R165 Tuesdays and Sundays) includes the two-course
meal. Show only is R120.
Bookings on 031 765 4197 or visit www.heitagetheatre.co.za
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