(Paul
Spence)
Is this show worth a visit? Absolutely, if
you are looking for two hours of good solid entertainment. (Review by Adrienne
Lansdell)
Rowan
Skits is a selection of classic Rowan Atkinson
sketches devised, directed and performed by top notch actor/director Paul
Spence and presented at Rhumbelow Theatre, Tina’s Hotel in Kloof.
Spence spent seven years with the Royal
Shakespeare Company in the UK and has acted and directed in theatres worldwide.
The show is both entertaining and thought-provoking
.... a rare mix in the world of theatre which encourages one to both look
inwardly and question honestly yet still leave feeling thoroughly entertained. This
must surely be a goal of theatre.
It was easy to warm to Paul Spence, the
actor and the person. He engaged the audience well with a seemingly relaxed
style but was extremely professional in presenting his craft. He went effortlessly
from the ‘sloshed father of the bride’ in The
Wedding to the beautiful Vanessa in Bad
Loser to finding the perfect Mr Elton John in the audience. His faultless
skit of Graham Norton interviewing Rowan Atkinson brilliantly conveyed the
evident warmth and likeability of Rowan the actor/comedian to the audience.
Rowan Atkinson is an ‘observer of humanity’
and tackles the realities of life so many of us shy away from. He does this by
offering the option of facing our foibles and reflecting them back to us
through a humorous lens which can only be described as cathartic and Spence did
this brilliantly.
However, I personally found the material in the skit called 2nd Form Roll-Call rather smutty, and
some might take offence to the tongue-in-cheek sermons; but we were pre-warned
of the ‘adult-nature’ of the content of the show. The highly intelligent Rowan
Atkinson experimented with many topics some of which might not have universal
appeal. This may have contributed to the low audience numbers last evening.
Is this show worth a visit? Absolutely, if you are looking for two hours
of good solid entertainment.
Rowan
Skits has performances tonight (March 7) at 20h00
and tomorrow (March 8) at 14h00. (The theatre venue opens 60 minutes before
show for drinks)
Tickets R160 (R140 pensioners and students
with a valid student card) and tables seat 8. (No alcohol or food may be
brought on to the premises). Tickets are cash or EFT only. Secure parking is
available. Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland (also for large
group booking discounts of 8 or more) on 082 499 8636 or email:
roland@stansell.za.net or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/
(Patrons are welcome to book for dinner or
lunch at Tina's Restaurant before the show: Call 031 764 7843 to book)
Tina’s Hotel is situated at 14 Beryldene
Road in Kloof. - Adrienne Lansdell
This show
will run at Rhumbelow Durban from March 13 to 15, 2020, and at the Allan Wilson
Shellhole in Pietermaritzburg with one performance on May 24, 2020.
Posts
