(Rory Booth & Bryan Hiles)
Everything
you have come to expect from KickstArt in a pantomime full of fun and frolic.
(Review by Caroline Smart)
In his welcome
in the programme, director Steven Stead explains that the choice of pantomime
was inspired by asking friends’ children what they would prefer and Puss in Boots topped the bill. The tale
is usually set in Spain or France but the KickstArt production takes place on a
mystical magical Caribbean island. It is indeed a “crazy cocktail”, as Stead
describes it – full of fun and frolic, everything you have come to expect from a
KickstArt pantomime.
The Caribbean location allows Greg King to let his imagination run wild with dramatic
sets – and all their clever components - surrounded by luscious tropical plants
and exotic flowers.
Puss in Boots follows their fail-safe pantomime formula,
borne of Stead’s own beginnings in the theatre genre when he was a youngster. A
tightknit and well-chosen cast with strong comedy skills ... and stamina,
because there’s no let-up in the energy.
Belinda
Henwood as the charming good fairy Calypso Honeybunch, beautifully costumed and
complete with Caribbean accent, introduces us to the story where we find the
charming Londiwe Dhlomo-Dlamini as Princess Miranda, singing We Need a Hero. A wicked goblin wizard
is threatening her father, the king, and they need someone to come to the
rescue.
Calypso
Honeybunch comes to the rescue and transforms Tom’s cat into Puss in Boots. Splendidly
costumed and made up, Rory Booth is the triumph of the show. He bursts onto the
scene as the swashbuckling hero and does some splendid song and dance scenes.
Not far
from Malfortuna castle is the bakery of the outrageously-dressed Mother Marzipan
(Darren King) who lives with her younger son, Tom (Bryan Hiles). Across the
road is The Old Mill owned by her posturing self-opinionated eldest son
Tristram (Lyle Buxton). King, Hiles and Buxton make for a very strong trio and
their cooking scene was utterly hilarious.
The King
arrives – a strong performance by Nhlakanipho Manqele – attended by his
sinister henchman, Grimsby Withergood, the wizard in disguise, played by the
inimitable Peter Court in both guises. We see the wizard himself in a fantastic
contraption creating an elevated throne on wheels with a “How’s My Driving”
notice on the rear bumper.
In a
delightfully laid-back performance, Caitlin Kilburn plays the cat Selina who Calypso
Honeybunch releases from the wizard’s control so she can join the good guys. In
sexy outfits she proves she’s a hotshot at high kicks!.
The two
hardworking dancers, Evashnee Pillay and Simone Mann, complete the picture in a
series of attractive costumes.
Puss in Boots is full of contemporary gags and offers
loads of fun for young and old alike. It is a delicious experience to be
surrounded by the infectious and spontaneous laughter of the youngsters in the
audience who revel in all the pro-active sections with full energy and voice!
Congratulations
once again to KickstArt and to the highly professional technical and back-up
team. If you don’t have children of your own to take to the show, borrow some!
Puss in Boots runs in the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until
January 11. Booking is through Computicket: www.computicket.co.za or by phoning 0861 915 8000. For
block bookings and information on group discounts, contact Ailsa Windsor of
Going Places on 083 250 2690 or email editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com – Caroline Smart
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