(Joanne Fisher Steyn; Kerry-lee McKibbin, Claire Jan Rowlett & Danielle Fisher)
High-spirited, mischievous and sexy production. (Review by Keith Millar)
Diva Feva which is currently
on at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo is a fast moving, jam packed tribute to
some of the world’s most popular woman singers of all time.
Featuring Claire Jan Rowlett, Kerry-lee McKibbin, Danielle Fisher and
Joanne Fisher Steyn the production is high-spirited,
mischievous and sexy, as the music of no less than 30 memorable stars is
performed.
These include greats from the recent past such as Marilyn Monroe, The
Supremes, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Abba, The Spice Girls and
Madonna, to the modern chart-toppers such as Lady GaGa, Christina Aguilera, Pink,
Katy Perry, Adele and Meghan Trainor. Little time is wasted on chatter and the
production offers pretty much wall to wall music. It is an entertaining and sometimes
nostalgic musical journey through decades of memorable music.
Singing to lush backtracks Rowlett, McKibbin and the Fisher sisters start
off slowly, but come into their own in the second half of the production where
they show all their experience and talent in a performance of note. They sing
the songs in combinations of quartet, trio, duo and solo performances. They all
have powerful and versatile voices and harmonise well together.
A wonderful highlight of this production is the costumes. Every song
features a fresh costume with plenty of glitz and glamour, feathers and sequins
in evidence. It is a colourful spectacle enhanced by the fabulous stage set
which resembles a burlesque theatre dressing room and also by an imaginative
and spectacular lighting design.
All credit to the performers for pulling off the many and very quick
costume changes. One can only imagine that the change room must be chaos after
the show.
With the plethora of music in the show there were many highlights, but
none more so than the presentation of Dolly Parton’s Nine to Five. Sporting a spectacular bust which seemed to have a
life of its own, it is a beautifully comic performance. Also of note was the
very funny impersonation of Amy Whitehouse singing Valarie after having had a refreshment or two too many.
All four cast members of Diva Feva have
had an input into the song selection and crafting the characters in the show.
They have done a very good job in creating the type a classy supper theatre,
cabaret show for which the Rhumbelow Theatre is renowned.
Diva Feva, which is produced
by Steyn Alive Productions, will be on at the Rhumbelow Theatre from May 29 to
31. Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 20h00 and Sunday shows are at
18h30. There is an extra matinee performance on May 30 at 14h00.
Tickets R120 ((R100 Pensioners and Tables of 8 or more for the first
weekend only.) The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner. Take
along food picnic baskets. 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 Durban is situated in Cunningham Avenue off
Bartle Road. Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland on 082 499 8636,
email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net - Keith Millar
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