(Pauline Dalais, Musa Ntuli,
Caitlin Kilburn, Shona Johnson, Caroline Smart & Sivanni Chinappan. Pic by
Val Adamson)
The magic continues with There’s
Something About Shirley, the third live theatrical recording series of the
hit radio show, Lollipop Lane, which
plays at Durban’s Catalina Theatre from September 25 to 27.
Clinton Marius’s record-breaking radio comedy, Lollipop
Lane, which delighted thousands of fans for four years, continues its
programme of serialized stage shows – bringing back to life the whacky gallery
of folk from the block of flats where the lift doesn’t quite go to the top
floor.
Following on from the show’s pilot staged production, Lollipop
Lane - The Big Biscuit Bake-Off, which was seen at the Catalina last
October, funding was secured from the National Arts Council (NAC), and the
exciting venture continued recently with a second, and now a third production
drawn from the popular radio show.
Scripted by Marius and directed by Caroline Smart, these are
recorded before live audiences, and subsequently broadcast on Tape Aids for the
Blind’s DSTV channel. Next up in the series is Lollipop Lane – There’s
Something About Shirley.
“Since Lollipop Lane’s run on air ended in 2012, we have
expanded the concept to be performed and recorded before a live audience. The
first two productions were loads of fun, and I’m certain this third production
will be just as well-received by audiences,” says its creator, Clinton Marius.
Where The Big Biscuit Bake-Off and The Beauty Spot
focused on two highpoints of the radio comedy series, There’s Something
About Shirley pokes fun at more of the show’s characters, and in
particular, the orange-haired, tree-hugging, dolphin-whispering Shirley
McDoodle.
The two bickering Mrs Singh’s, AKA Singh-Singh and
Singh-Song, are also back, played by Pauline Dalais and Sivani Chinappan
respectively. Fans can also look forward to meeting up with other popular
personalities from the show, and will also have the opportunity to meet the
cast and crew after each performance, and to purchase CD’s of the two previous
shows.
Casting includes the talented Caitlin Kilburn, who heads the
roster in her whacky role as Shirley. Other well-known names in the ensemble
cast include audience favourite, Mpume Mthombeni, Musa Ntuli, Standard Bank
Ovation Award-winning actress Shona Johnson, and radio veterans Caroline Smart
and Tom Read.
“In the days of Springbok Radio, shows such as Men from
the Ministry were recorded in front of an audience at the large M1 studio
at SABC Durban, enabling the programmes to be enhanced by spontaneous ‘real’
laughter – as opposed to ‘canned’ laughter which is often added to radio and
television comedies recorded in a studio environment. Those productions often
toured. This is envisaged with Lollipop Lane as well, as our first two
series of Lollipop Lane at the Catalina have proved that this form of
entertainment is well received. For many, one of the highlights is to watch how
sound effects are created – often by the most unrelated objects.
“Lollipop Lane’s revival provides work for actors. It
makes the show available for fundraising purposes, reaches a wider audience and
ultimately benefits members of Tape Aids for the Blind,” Smart adds. “I’m also
delighted to introduce the magic of radio theatre to a new generation of
enthusiasts!”
Copy Dog Productions gratefully acknowledges the support of
the National Arts Council in staging the current series of Lollipop Lane.
Elza-Lynne Kruger, National Director of Tape Aids for the Blind, adds: “I am
absolutely thrilled that the NAC has recognised the value of this project, and
given us the capacity to take it forward. It will be of huge benefit to our
blind members.”
Theatre goers who buy tickets to see Lollipop Lane –
There’s Something About Shirley stand the chance of winning complimentary
copies, following a lucky draw done at each performance, of the CD’s made from
the previous two Lollipop Lane stage shows – The Big Biscuit Bake-Off
and The Beauty Spot.
There’s Something
About Shirley can be seen at the Catalina Theatre on September 25 and 26 at
20h00, with a on September 27 at 14h30. Tickets R80 (R70 pensioners and
students) at Computicket outlets, telephonically on 0861 915 8000, or online at
www.computicket.com Early booking is
advised
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