(Take 5: Haylea
Hounsome, Chloe Clark, Shelley McLean, Tory Du Plessis and Tammy Saville)
Glamorous group is as easy to look at as to listen to.
(Review by Keith Millar)
August is designated as woman’s month. So it is entirely
appropriate that the Rhumbelow Theatre’s current offering is the all-female
musical ensemble, Take Five.
Formed by well-known Durban singer and music teacher, Shelly
McLean, the group also features the singing talents of Tory Du Plessis, Tammy
Saville, Haylea Hounsome and Chloe Clark.
Each girl is very talented in her own right but together
they are sensational. They sing tight harmony arrangements of an eclectic range
of music which includes contemporary hits, jazz standards, popular musical
theatre tunes and even a touch of classics.
They take to the stage looking very glamorous in evening
dresses, which are changed quite often. They are as easy to look at as they are
to listen to.
As a singing group they have an impressive vocal range. From
the deep sultry tones of Tory Du Plessis to the sweet soprano of Haylea
Hounsome. This allows them to do justice to most songs. The girls take turns in
accompanying the ensemble on the piano and, on occasion, a guitar and djembe
drums are also used as backing.
Included in the programme are songs from artists such as
Elton John, Avril Lavigne, Adele, The Carpenters, Train and Tracy Chapman. An
compilation of South African music includes Tula
Baba, Ipitombi and Shakira’s
soccer world cup song Waka Waka. My
favourites were a duo by Shelly and Haylea of Ava Maria and the group’s clever arrangements of Somewhere over the Rainbow and Cindy
Lauper’s True Colours.
However, this is not a tribute show in the sense that the ensemble
performs cover versions of all this music. Each song is arranged to suit their
talents and style, and the result is a distinct Take Five sound.
The quaint and rustic Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo was
launched in July 2001. It is a friendly and welcoming venue which is expertly
managed by Roland Stansell and his team. They have also recently opened a
Rhumbelow Theatre in Pietermaritzburg. In the 12 years of its existence, the theatre
has played an important role in staging many very successful cabaret and
musical shows for Durban’s audiences. Take Five’s performance is another
feather in the cap of this enterprising venture, as well as been a suitable
tribute to woman’s month.
Performances of Take Five will take place next weekend on
Friday and Saturday (August 16 and 17) at 20h00 and on Sunday (August 18) at 18h30.
The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner.
Tickets R100. 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 –
Keith Millar
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