(Right: Kiruna-Lind Devar)
You would be doing
yourself a disservice if Damsel In Distress has performance dates in your area
and you miss it, for whatever reason. (artSMart reviewer)
There’s one good thing about reaching the biblical age of
three score and ten – one has so many memories sitting in hidden recesses of
the brain, waiting to be dredged up from our earlier days. Fortunately, I spent
my life in the entertainment and arts spheres and was privileged to view and/or
be part of many productions in Durban in the “good old days”.
One of the most abiding memories is the stellar performance of a young Brenda Radloff in her ingenue years as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Playhouse Theatre. Her rendition of Everything’s All Right and I Don’t Know How to Love Him were so heartfelt that they truly numbed the mind.
But now it’s the turn of Brenda’s first-born, Kiruna-Lind Devar, to shine in the spotlight in her first one-woman show Damsel In Distress, which premiered recently at Durban’s Rhumbelow Theatre before heading for venues around the country, and boy, does she shine!
Damsel was created by Wela Kapela Productions with a thought-provoking script by Amanda Bothma and inspired direction by the uber-talented Daniel Anderson, who arrived on the Durban cabaret scene with his outstanding shows Vincent and Mad About the Boys some while back.
But back to Kiruna-Lind as Griselda in Damsel in Distress. The character is a librarian who has lived her life vicariously by hiding herself in the books surrounding her in her library, and indeed, hiding herself there, using it as a refuge: a place to live and sleep, trapped in fear of the overwhelming outside world. That is, until the ever-so-charming Edward Pamment arrives on the scene, challenging her belief system.
The 75-minute show explores several themes including courage, survival and even gender-based violence. Kiruna-Lind (ably accompanied by Samantha Riedel on the keyboard) invites us along on an amazing journey, featuring a variety of songs which highlight her vocal dexterity, songs such as I Love Paris, People, Mein Herr, New York New York, La Vie en Rose, Windmills of Your Mind, and even a hysterical Brush Up Your Shakespeare.
You would be doing yourself a disservice if Damsel In Distress has performance dates in your area and you miss it, for whatever reason. Get a bunch of friends together and support the finest in local theatre.
Congratulations, Kiruna-Lind, Amanda, Daniel and Wela Kapela. Here’s to many more stunning productions! Book now.
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