(From
top: Bev Cooke-Tonnesen, Sanele Sibiya, Yasmien Winkler, Danielle Fleuriot,
Gill Brunings and Ndumiso Mhlongo)
Durban’s newest improve comedy troupe is called B.I.G, and they
launched their first show, Down the
Chimney and Round the Bend, at Westville Theatre Club last week. And a big
occasion it proved to be. Big laughs, big exuberance, big performances and most
certainly big entertainment.
Conceived by experienced theatre practitioner and teacher
Beverley Cooke-Tonnesen, who is well known for her Gift of The Gab adult acting
courses, B.I.G. has big plans for 2015. They intend becoming a force in the
Durban Theatre scene and will be staging monthly performance at Durban High
School’s Seabrooke’s Theatre, and other venues around the
city.
This is good news for theatre lovers as this troupe of young
and very talented actors have a fearless and adventurous approach, and offer a
fast-paced physical style which is hilariously funny and very entertaining.
Cooke-Tonnesen, is not only coach and director for the
troupe but also fills the role of the MC/Major-domo/ringmaster during the show.
The others in the cast are Danielle Fleuriot, Sanele Sibiya, Gillian Bruning,
Mdumiso Mhlongo and Yasmien Winkler.
The modus operandi is to create the most ridiculous, off the
wall, scenarios out of suggestions from the audience and for members of the
cast to then improvise a performance of these skits - spontaneously, on the
spot and without any rehearsal at all.
For example, they were required to relate how the Mona Liza
needed to shave her legs on the French Rivera while Lady GaGa and George
Clooney twerked. The actor relating the story spoke a language known only to
herself, while another had to attempt a translation for the audience. Then
there were pole dancing lessons in the style of a Shakespearean actor, a rugby
player, an angry person and a soapie star.
Members of the audience also took part in the action – most
notably in a production line producing left handed screwdrivers for Hobbits.
The action is whacky, a little wicked and inevitably very
funny. All that is required is that you leave your inhibitions at home, release
your inner child and you will have an absolute ball.
Down The Chimney and
Round the Bend has one more performance this year. This will be at the
Westville Theatre Club on December 31 (New Year’s Eve) at 22h00. There will be
two acts followed by dancing to bring the New Year in. Tickets are R100 and
include the show, dancing, some bubbly and a few surprises. Call 084 207 4707
to book. – Keith Millar
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