The leads are
exceptionally strong but the supporting cast is equally admirable. There was
not a single moment where I felt that any individual was lacking…. This is a
show not to be missed. (Review by Dr Verne Rowin Munsamy)
True loves Kiss for Milkwood Theatre and the Young
Performers Project.
I have been following the productions of The Young Performers for a few decades now and each year I am mesmerised by the work of these young stars in the making. I adored the productions produced by Themi Venturas and this legacy of quality shows lives on. This year is no exception.
I want to begin this review by saying well done to the crew who have created a new performance space for Durban artists. The Milkwood Theatre, nestled in Danville Girls, is a welcomed addition to the performance spaces in Durban. It is a 290-seater with a large enough stage, approximately 12m wide by 6m deep, for performance to thrive. It is ideal for large scale shows and intimate theatre. It has stunning features and the atmosphere is electric, despite it being housed in a school. It was only fitting that the Young Performers were the initiates of this space.
This year's Young Performers Project, in association with Dalro, presented Shrek: The Musical. Directed by Lisa Bobbert and choreographed by Evashnee Pillay, this production offers the audiences a fantastic South African rendition of this musical. Bobbert's direction is impeccable and delivers a show that is pure magic. The space is well-used and it was refreshing to see a set on trucks on stage, something that is not seen very often these days in theatre. The choreography by Pillay is perfect for this space and the cast do justice to the vision of her work.
The musical direction of Des Govender was perfectly evidenced by the vocals of this large but young cast. I was very impressed by the quality of the singing, dancing and acting. I loved the character work of all these young artists who were truly solid on stage. One forgets that they are watching kids because they absolutely own the stage.
The leads are exceptionally strong but the supporting cast is equally admirable. There was not a single moment where I felt that any individual was lacking. The energy on stage is electric and consistent throughout the duration of the show. I was particularly impressed by Damien Butt (Lord Farquaad), Ntsako Mngoma (Dragon), James Armstrong (Donkey), Chloe Marot (Princess Fiona), Lilihle Mtshali (Fairy Godmother) and the lead Lyle Buxton (Shrek).
The costumes were wonderful in carrying out the visual aesthetic of the show. The set was well-crafted and I enjoyed watching the set pieces move and transform the space. The space offers a robust lighting rig which is used fully to create a diverse visual effect.
Overall, I was elated by this performance. I love musical theatre and this show delivered on many levels, it was 'layered like an onion'. This is a show not to be missed. - Dr Verne Rowin Munsamy
Remaining performances are:
Thurs May 1: 14h00
Fri May 2: 14h00 & 19h00
Sat May 3: 14h00 & 19h00
Sun May 4: 14h00
Shrek the Musical runs until May 4 at the Milkwood Theatre, Danville School in Durban North and booking is through Webtickets.
Posts
