Delicious
fun for young and old – don’t miss it! (Review by Caroline Smart)
KickstArt
has revived their earlier production of Winnie
the Pooh and it looks set for a highly successful repeat run at the
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre over the school holidays. Greg King’s familiar set and
costumes have lost none of their charm. This time it is Peter Court in the
director’s chair as Steven Stead is currently in Johannesburg where KickstArt’s
production Shrek is running at The Lyric at Gold Reef City Casino.
This is a fulfilling period for KickstArt as their production of Sweeney
Todd played Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre at the end of last year
and recently finished a run at Artscape in Cape Town. All credit to the
hardworking Steven Stead and Greg King.
Winnie
the Pooh is a faithful adaptation of AA Milne’s
classic children’s story. It’s all about a lovable huggable bear who adores
honey and lives in the Hundred Acre Wood along with his friends, Piglet, Owl,
Eeyore the donkey, Tigger the Tiger, and Kanga and her daughter Roo. But his
real best friend and mentor is young Christopher Robin who lives nearby.
Rowan Bartlett is once again a lovely cuddly Winnie the Pooh, a bear not
renowned for his brain capacity.
Last
night we saw Jake Savage (who alternates with Ivan Williams) as Christopher
Robin. Considering this was not only his first appearance on a professional
stage but also the first in front of an audience, he gave an excellent
performance with every word clearly articulated. A young actor to watch.
The show
is enchanting from the moment it opens when the young actors in animal costume
romp about the stage in high spirits. Alexander Beetle
is played with much verve by Keryn Lynne Scott; with Grace McIlroy and Sarah
Sparks as squirrels and Julia Sutton and Jordyn Everett as the rabbits adding
their individual energy. Their ensemble work is well-disciplined – good to see
this coming from very young performers.
Anthony Stonier is suitably efficient and stylish
as the much put-upon Rabbit. Nhlakanipho Manqele gives a droll interpretation
of Owl, introducing amusing hoots in his dialogue. Peter Court is perfect as
the gloomy Eeyore and Liesl Coppin is the no-nonsense motherly Kanga with Luca
Tarboton as her energetic child, Roo.
Only coming on in the second act, Bryan
Hiles’ popularity was evident from the audience’s response at his appearance.
He went on to give a hilarious portrayal as the frenetically bouncy Tigger – or
as he calls himself “Tee I double-ger”! – whose stock phrase is
“whadawhadawhadawhada”.
Stealing the show hands – or trotters –
down is Belinda Henwood as a delicious and hugely-endearing Piglet. Full of
squeaks and grunts with the occasional leg kick, she gives a stand-out
performance.
There are some great scenes such as when
Pooh needs to elevate himself to reach the bees’ store of honey in a nearby
tree or gets stuck
after gorging himself on too much honey in Rabbit’s house as well as putting
Eeyore’s tail back on. Piglet’s bath scene is hilarious and there are fun
moments as Tigger is tempted with various things to eat – none of which
includes Owl’s Mice Krispies!
Winnie the Pooh features tuneful music composed by Justin
Southey. Musical direction is by Jason Bird and orchestral arrangements by Jaco
van Rensburg. Daisy Spencer’s choreography is first rate and the cast is
well-disciplined in movement. Good lighting designed by
Tina le Roux and sound designed by Ross van Wyk. Great performances, perfect articulation and
audibility. What more could you want!
It’s delicious
fun for young and old – don’t miss it!
Winnie
the Pooh runs until July 17 at the Elizabeth
Sneddon Theatre on UKZN campus with performances from Tuesday to Sunday at 14h30
and Friday at 19h00. No babes in arms, or children under three.
Tickets R180/R150/R120 (R150/R120/R100 children
and pensioners). Booking is at Computicket: www.computicket.co.za.
For block bookings contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places: editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com
or 083 250 2690. – Caroline Smart
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