There is something about the sun coming out again that makes all of us in Gauteng want to get out and celebrate life. And if you are looking for an excuse to do exactly that, The Royal Countess Zingara’s La Dolce Royal at Melrose Arch is a rather spectacular one.
At its heart, this is a celebration of creativity in all its forms. Theatre, music, contemporary circque, food, fashion, comedy and sheer imagination come together in an experience that begins before anyone takes their seat in the custom-created setting.
From the time you arrive, it is like stepping into another world. Every detail has been carefully curated, and every moment sparkles with creativity. Even the waiters are dressed for the occasion. My best advice is to arrive early. The pre-show experience is part of the magic, giving you time to wander through the space, encounter performers in extraordinary costumes, explore enchanting installations, and simply take it all in.
Then there is the Show Itself.
Housed in a magnificent mirrored Spiegeltent, La Dolce Royal brings together an impressive South African and international cast, with performances ranging from breathtaking aerial acts and acrobatics to music and comedy. The level of talent is extraordinary. Particular highlights for me included the trapeze performances and The Clorettes, a fabulous quartet of singers whose voices are every bit as striking as their stage presence.
And then there is Tollie Parton
A recent addition to the production, Tollie somehow manages to pull the whole wonderfully eccentric world together. She is glamorous, hilarious, and gloriously larger than life, with exactly the kind of stage presence the show calls for. One of the funniest moments of the evening came when she read anonymous audience “confessions” on stage. I will say no more, except that some people clearly have a lot to confess.
The four-course dinner is another experience in itself. The food was excellent and plentiful. In fact, we struggled to get through it all, which is probably the best kind of complaint to have.
What I loved most about La Dolce Royal, though, is the escape it offers. For a few hours, the outside world simply disappears, and the line between fantasy and reality is blurred. You are invited into this gorgeous, whimsical space where people fly through the air, burst into song, blow bubbles, make you laugh, and remind you just how much joy there is in human creativity.
The Royal Countess Zingara is now on at the Melrose Arch Pavilion, between Melrose Arch and the N1, with parking conveniently located right there.
The night flies by and before you know it, it’s over, and you’re left wondering… was it all a dream?
Bookings can be made at zingara.co.za