(Ian
von Memerty & Roelof Colyn)
One of the most successful shows in the
history of South African showbiz: A
Handful of Keys with Ian von Memerty and Roelof Colyn, returns to Durban
for a run over the Easter holidays at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre to celebrate
20 remarkable years
Ian von Memerty and Roelof Colyn have often
paired up together in A Handful of Keys.
Von Memerty is probably best known for being a judge on SA’s Got Talent. When not in Handful,
Colyn is a band leader/ accompanist/ arranger/ composer/ musical director/
conductor in - and for - a myriad shows.
Featuring a firecracker script and two
grand pianos played with unparalleled virtuosity, A Handful of Keys entertains with
music and songs from Elton John, Richard Clayderman, Nora Jones, Alicia Keys,
Billy Joel, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Liberace through to Bach, Debussy,
Chopin and many more! All the old favourites are still there – The History of the Broadway Musical (100
years in 16 minutes), the great SA
Medley, and the Rock ‘n Roll
finale. With new jokes and new costumes (they wore the old ones out!), A Handful of Keys is a sparkling as
ever!
The journey of A Handful of Keys is remarkable: it has played to more than 400,000
people on five continents, in 1,250 shows, with five different cast
combinations, and has garnered nine national awards after seasons across South
Africa and beyond.
This hilarious two-man piano show conceived
and starring Ian von Memerty and Bryan Schimmel, began in 1994. In 2001 it
entered its second incarnation - again starring Ian von Memerty, but this time
alongside Roelof Colyn, who enjoyed a massive success in the show. The show
toured nationally, and to London and Australia (twice). Again the audiences and
critics were ecstatic, and the audiences poured in, in ever increasing numbers.
Another three years, another 300 performances and the show was seen by another
100,000 people.
Then in 2005 - the show took on its third
shining shape. Starring, once again, Roelof Colyn and introducing Capetonian Jeremy
Quickfall and touring to another 50,000 people and racked up its 750th
performance.
In 2008, 21 year old Jonathan Roxmouth
paired up with Roelof Colyn and created a magical partnership that reignited
the show. Love letters from the press, and great box office were an accurate
reflection of the level of synergy, musicality and sheer entertainment that
these two achieved. The 2009 -2011 season was a pure triumph. All five cast
members who have done the show in its 18 year history joined together on stage
for what was an extraordinary night of theatre fire and magic. During 2011 -
2013 there were short tours around the county and trips to Dubai (twice), HIFA,
London and New York.
A Handful of Keys runs from April 2 to 27
at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre with shows from Tuesday to Saturday at 20h00
with extra performances on Saturday and Sunday at 15h00. Booking is through Computicket.
For sold houses and block bookings contact Ailsa Windsor on 083 250 2690.
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