(Kerry-Lee McKibbin, Mpilo
Nzimande & Jaziel Vaugh’ann)
Dracula, the adult
panto which is running at Club Altitude has been extended. Due to close on
December 30, it has responded to public demand and will now run until January 20,
2018. Don't delay - tickets available online at http://qkt.io/Dracula.
Bring snacks/picnic basket - cash bar available. Hilarious
comedy show - for 21 years the Adult Panto team is at it again!
Herewith the artSMart review:
DRACULA
Club Altitude:
December 9 to January 20, 2018
Holtzhausen has created a much tighter script which has some
magical moments and some very clever lines. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Adult pantos are a breed in themselves! For many years, Sue
Clarence produced regular shows in Durban at year-end and they provided much
fun and nonsense over the festive season.
They are called “adult” pantos for a reason – the humour is
of a highly sexual nature and no opportunity is wasted in providing double
meanings. They are by no means obscene or below the belt – just hugely amusing
… but it’s advisable not to take friends who may be offended!
Thomie Holtzhausen picked up the reins from Clarence last
year and put on an adult panto at Club Altitude, creating a tiny stage in the
space available. Dracula marks his
second production and he has gone from strength to strength as a writer and
director of this genre. Dracula is a
considerable improvement on last year’s production, Once Upon a Fairy.
Holtzhausen has created a much tighter script which has some
magical moments and some very clever lines. He also appears in the show as the
grumpy Renfield, clad in grubby long-johns, as well as his well-known character
of the Indian aunty.
Of course, the inclusion of adult panto stalwart Anthony
Stonier has a lot to do with the show’s success. He gives his usual much-loved
laconic performance as Dracula and hats off to him for handling a microphone
problem with professionalism and aplomb. He also appears in an elegant
mini-skirted black outfit and gives one of the best stage falls I’ve seen in a
while!
The heroine is Princess Mina played by the charming
Kerry-Lee McKibbin who has a friend called Juicy Lucy - Jaziel Vaugh’ann in
full flight and made up to the nines – and a boyfriend called Jonathan who is
played by tall and engaging Mpilo Nzimande.
It’s a good ensemble and they work well together on the
small stage. The storyline sees the threesome taking a train ride to Barcelona.
Along the way there is a hiatus and they end up in the spooky castle of Count
Dracula.
Mina gets a little too close to Dracula – namely in the
number Barcelona – a number which was
excellently presented by the pair of them. However, Dracula has his way and
sinks his teeth into her neck.
In true panto fashion, we are reminded to boo and hiss the
villain which the audience does with great gusto. Altitude is such an
endearingly intimate venue that this layer/audience response works admirably.
Patrons may bring their own food but all wine, beers, soft
drinks etc must be bought from the Club Altitude bar.
Dracula runs until
December 30, 2017, with performances from Tuesday to Saturday at 19h30. Tickets
R140 booked through Computicket. Tables seat eight. Block bookings through
Ailsa of GoingPlacesSA at 071 865 8199 or email editor@goingplacessa.com.
Club Altitude is in Silver Avenue, off Stamford Hill Road,
Morningside. – Caroline Smart
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