(Evan
Roberts, Shylo Pereira & Samantha Landers. Pic by Sharon Watters)
This is intelligent, well-constructed
theatre which more than deserved last night’s full house audience. Don’t miss
this one! (Review by Keith Millar)
Elegant, sophisticated, accomplished, glamorous
and hugely entertaining. All superlatives, along with many others, which could
be used to describe That’s Life, the
delightful cabaret-styled show which is currently at the Rhumbelow Theatre in
Umbilo.
It is a show which oozes charm, vivacity,
dynamism and talent. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it is one of the
best productions that I have ever seen at a Rhumbelow Theatre.
The trio of performers are a powerhouse
combination.
Samantha Landers is endearing. She is sassy
and playful and has a silky and beautifully modulated voice. The impressive
Shylo Pereira – the first time I have seen her perform, but I definitely
hope not the last – is smouldering, imperious and passionate. She has a superbly
versatile voice with an extraordinary range. Supporting them on piano, backing
vocals, and a song or two of his own, is the elegant and consummate Evan
Roberts.
Together, they create a special kind of
magic on stage.
The music takes the audience on a journey
through the life of womanhood and features a mix of show tunes and popular
songs with a bit of a jazzy vibe and plenty of humour thrown in for good
measure. The songs are performed either as solo numbers, or as duos with
dazzling harmonising and are all well thought-out selections with meaningful
lyrics.
There are a few clever and innovative new
arrangements of songs, such as Britney Spears, Oops! … I did it Again delivered in a jazzy style by Pereira, and
Lander’s flirty version of Katie Perry’s I
Kissed a Girl. They are very well done and, in my opinion, better than the
originals.
Other songs heard include the duo’s
representation of George Michael’s Carless
Whispers, Carole King’s You’ve Got A
Friend, I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn’t Like To Howl from the musical series Smash, and the title
song, Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life.
Pereira impresses with Stephen Sondheim’s Losing My Mind and Brandi Carlile’s The Story while Landers is excellent
with I’m Not That Girl from the
musical Wicked and They Just Keep Moving The Line from Smash.
Humour is provided by Popular, 15 Pounds (Away from My Love) and The Girl in 14G.
Evan Roberts weighs in with heartfelt
renditions of It’s A Man’s World and Pure Imagination, while the encore, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, sung by all
three, is something to write home about.
The simple set comprises a piano and a
table with two chairs. The tasteful lighting design, a few strange follow-spot
moments aside, suggests an intimate nightclub scene.
Costume changes by the two girls are regular
and they appear in a variety of very glamorous evening wear.
There is a truism which states that “less
is more”. This is certainly the case with this excellent production. It is
uncomplicated and unpretentious, yet it delivers on all levels. This is
intelligent, well-constructed theatre which more than deserved last night’s
full house audience.
Don’t miss this one!
The show runs from November 16 to 25, 2018,
with performances from Fridays to Sundays. Fridays and Saturday shows at 20h00
and Sundays at 14h00. The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner.
Tickets R150 (R130 pensioners, students
with a valid student card and tables of eight or more). Family Pack Pricing
(R300 for two adults and two children free). Discounts apply 1st week ONLY.
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 at 42 Cunningham Road off Bartle Road in Umbilo.
Booking is through Computicket or contact
Roland on 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net (also for group booking
discounts of 20 or more) or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com
– Keith Millar
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