(Mim Erasmus with Suzie. Pic
by Keith Millar)
“Globe
Trotting Suzie” is a most enjoyable puppet theatre production which is
excellently performed by veteran entertainers, Mim and John Erasmus. (Review by
Keith Millar)
For several years now, Durban’s Rhumbelow
Theatre has been the go-to venue for children’s entertainment during school
holidays. And this Christmas season is no different with seasoned entertainers
Mim and John Erasmus presenting their charming puppet show, Globe Trotting Suzie.
With our grandchildren shipped off to various
holiday clubs and after-care centres, my wife and myself were left to channel
our inner 10 year-olds to experience the joys of Suzie’s trip around the world.
And enjoy it we did.
Suzie is curious as how people in other
countries celebrate Christmas. So, in a spaceship on loan from NASA, she visits
no less than nine countries around the world. In each place, she meets a young
lady of her own age who is traditionally dressed and who tells her a little bit
about their country and their traditions and customs.
For example, in America she meets Blue
Cloud, a Native American Indian where she learns about wigwams and totem poles.
In Brazil, she experiences the Mardi Gras with Rozanna. Shelia in Australia
introduces her to Freddie the Frog and they, along with all the children in the
audience, get to dance the Kangaroo Tango. Suzie also visits her cousin in
Scotland where, once again with the help of the audience they sing and dance
along to the well-known song, Auld Lang
Syne.
In each country, Suzie and her host
exchange gifts and in on each occasion the lucky young lady receives a small
doll beautifully dressed in traditional clothing along with a small flag and
animal from the country.
Other than the young girls from the nine
countries we also meet, along the way, Suzie’s father, Freddie the frog,
Christopher the crocodile and, to everyone’s great excitement, Father Christmas
himself.
The hand puppets on display are excellently
made and beautifully dressed. They are all operated by Auntie Mim who also
provides all the voices and sings all the songs. No mean feat to keep it up for
nearly an hour, but she achieves it with some style and charisma.
John assists looking after the sound system
along with piloting the spaceship and showing off the presents to the audience
and telling them all about the costumes flags and animals.
Globe
Trotting Suzie is a most enjoyable puppet theatre
production which is excellently performed by veteran entertainers, Mim and John
Erasmus, There are also plenty of opportunities for the audience to get
involved in singing and dancing along with Auntie Mim.
My alter ego, the 10 year old boy,
thoroughly enjoyed the show – and I can tell you that the 71 year old was not
disappointed either. I recommend it to all.
After the show there is a colouring-in
competition for all the kids. This morning due to load-shedding the
colouring-in competition preceded the show. So it may be an idea to check the
starting time before you go.
The show runs until Saturday (December 14)
this week and from Tuesday to Saturday (December 17 to 21) next week. All shows
start at 11h00 (Load shedding permitting).
Tickets R75-00 pp. Book at Computicket or
phone email Roland at 082 499 8636 or email roland@stansell.co.za Snacks and
juices will be on sale. More information available at events.durbantheate.com
Rhumbelow Durban is situated at 42
Cunningham Road off Bartle Road in Umbilo.
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