STAGE BY STAGE

 

(Helen Vermaas & Jonathan Roxmouth)

The enormously talented Jonathan Roxmouth in his new show. (Review by Keith Millar)

The Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo is once again providing top-class musical entertainment to Durban audiences. Currently appearing at the theatre is the enormously talented Jonathan Roxmouth in his new show Stage By Stage.

The world of musical theatre has long been a source of wonderful music and in Stage By Stage Roxmouth performs many of the beautiful songs which have featured in his life. In between, he shares amusing anecdotes from backstage as well as stories about the songs themselves and about show business in general.

Roxmouth developed an interest in theatre at a very early age. He attended Northcliff High School and by the time he matriculated, he had appeared in five of their musicals that are presented annually at the Playhouse in Durban.

Since then, he has been very busy on the professional stage appearing in shows such as a Handful of Keys with Ian Von Memerty, The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and Call Me Lee, amongst many others. At the relative young age of 27 he has become the hottest property on the South African musical theatre scene.

Roxmouth is blessed with a beautiful voice. It is strong, rich and multi-faceted. He has a remarkable range and can sing anything from falsetto to a honeyed baritone. He is as capable of belting out the high notes as he is of singing with restrained and emotional intensity. He is truly gifted singer and a joy to listen to.

Highlights of the show are Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera and Bring Him Home from Les Misérables. Roxmouth’s performance of these two songs is spell-binding and you could have heard a pin drop in the audience as they were sat transfixed by his artistry. These two songs alone are worth the price of the ticket.

Other songs featured in the show include Luck Be A lady Tonight (Guys and Dolls), Beauty School Drop Out (from Grease  - an excellent Elvis send-up), I Have Dreamed (The King and I), If I loved You (Carousel), To Dream the Impossible Dream (Man of La Mancha), and a delightfully funny rendition of Flanders and Swans’ Have Some Madeira M’Dear.

Roxmouth, who is accompanied throughout by a talented and accomplished Helen Vermaas on piano, has an easy warm charm and engages well with the audience in the intimate ambiance of the Rhumbelow Theatre. This adds to the entertainment of this excellent show.

Stage By Stage is a must for all lovers of musical theatre and is sure to convert many of those that don’t already fall into that category.

Performances of Stage By Stage runs until June 22 with performances taking place today (June 16) at 14h00 and 18h30 and again from June 18 to 22. Show times are Wednesday and Thursday at 19h30; Friday at 20h00, Saturday at 14h00 and 20h00 and on Sunday at 14h00 and 18h30.

Tickets R120 (R100 pensioners and tables of 8 or more). Bring food picnic baskets (braais will be available for those who wish to cook some meat). There is limited secure parking and there is a bar available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises).

Booking is essential via Computicket or phone Roland on 082 499 8636 or e-mail roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net