by Louw Mulder

It is not the first time I have had the privilege to review a Fugard Theatre Production, but it is the first time I am writing about a production performed at the Fugard Theatre. Being in Cape Town is always an experience for a Gautenger like me, and to see a professional musical like Funny Girl  on its home stage, completes a perfect visit. I was pleasantly surprised with the Fugard Theatre itself, it has a very nice, intimate, friendly and arty feel. I think it is a brilliant idea for out of towners to include a visit to this theatre when traveling to Cape Town.

After a successful run of West Side Story in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and returning to the stage in 2018, Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre have produced the 1964 Broadway hit, Funny Girl, The Musical – the stage production most theatre critics say was Barbra Streisand’s big break when she played the lead role in the original production at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Even though it is a treat to see experienced musical theatre actors and actresses perform, nothing beats that feeling of being impressed and blown away by performers I have seen for the first time in a lead or prominent role. The Fugard Theatre is becoming a key player in providing these opportunities with the likes of Shaun Smit in Rocky Horror, and most recently Lynelle Kenned in West Side Story. With Funny Girl, they did not disappoint.

With names in the cast becoming more and more familiar to the regular theatre junkie like myself, Funny Girl did not fall short at all. But I have to elaborate on two of the performances that made me excited for what is to come in the future.

In the lead role, playing Fanny Brice, is the remarkable Ashleigh Harvey. Harvey has also appeared on the cast list for Rocky Horror, and Shrek – the Musical, but Funny Girl is the production where she has really imprinted her talent in the industry. The role is complicated in my view, as it needs a strong voice, and also an actress that plays a not-so-clever, naïve girl, who grows into a mature lady towards the end. Harvey was outstanding, because she was funny when she needed to be, sincere when the role required it to be, and also forced complete silence in the audience when she showed off her vocal abilities. In character, she also does look like a Fanny…

The performance I remember most distinctly, is that of Cameron Botha, in the role of Eddie Ryan. His credits in musical theatre include performances in West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Peter Pan Pantomime, as well as a whole lot of Afrikaans productions. Even though these were smaller roles, Botha is getting sexier and more mature as an actor in his own right. The distinct characteristic of an impressive performance, is someone who owns the stage, consumes the attention of the audience member, making the stage look small and irrelevant. This was Botha on the night.

The rest of the Funny Girl Company includes Clyde Berning, Kate Normington, who also played her role brilliantly as always, Diane Wilson, Michelle Maxwell, Grant Towers and well known acting veteran, Mike Huff. The boys in the ensemble cast includes Sven Eric Muller, Sibusiso Mxosana, and Daniel Fisher.

The ladies added the snazzy, glitz and sex appeal needed to complete the cast line-up. Lucy Tops, Jenna Robinson-Child, Tyla Nurden and Tamryn van Houten played their roles with a high standard, alongside the more experienced Ambre Chanel Fulton, Michele La Trobe, and one of our most promising theatre actresses, LJ Nielson.

Innovative sets, and smooth transitions between scenes is also something that is mostly overlooked by many patrons, but for me, it is something that can make, or break a pertinent element of a stage production, namely the flow of the show. With a revolving stage, Saul Radomsky designed a set that promotes such a suave flow between scenes, which does not distract the audience from the story unfolding.

Even the costumes were classically appropriate for a story that plays off in the 1960’s, and I think Birrie le Roux did a fashionably remarkable job in designing them. Daniel Galloway and Benjamin du Plessis were responsible for illuminating the stage, and Mark Malherbe completed the creative team as the sound designer.

One of South Africa’s top maestros, and also resident Musical Director to the Fugard Theatre, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, was in charge of the music. Louisa Talbot, also with a remarkable resume, worked out the moves, as choreographer for Funny Girl. The music was powerful and classical, swing and cabaret at times, but whatever the genre, it was melodically orchestrated. The dances, moves and steps, were in sync with the music, and under the leadership of multi-award winning director, Matthew Wild, the production of Funny Girl was set to be a success from the word go.

Us in Gauteng pray with you Cape Townians for rain, but Don’t let it Rain on My Parade.

You can visit www.thefugard.com for show times, and ticketing information.

This review was edited by Bronwyn Kerry.  Photos courtesy of the Fugard Theatre

The post Funny Girl appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Make room for ogre-sized family fun as the greatest fairy-tale never told comes to life in the Broadway and West End hit Shrek The Musical which heads to Johannesburg for a limited season at Gold Reef City from 24 June to 17 July 2016.

From the producers of Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret and more recently Sweeney Todd, KickstArt now brings Jozi audiences the musical stage adaptation of DreamWork’s global movie phenomenon Shrek!, set to delight old and young during the June/July holidays.

The talented local 28-strong cast will be bringing these instantly recognizable characters to life in this fabulous, fun, charming and hugely funny musical.  The leads are portrayed by Lyle Buxton (Cabaret, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, Sweeney Todd) as Shrek, Rory Booth (Xtrafactor, Puss in Boots, Aladdin) as Donkey and Jessica Sole (Cabaret, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, Orpheus in Africa) as Princess Fiona.

Also in the cast are Jacobus van Heerden (Popcorn, Little Shop of Horrors, The Ladykillers) as the diminutive Lord Farquaad; Graeme Wicks (Sweeney Todd, Aladdin) as Pinocchio; Charon Williams Ros as Gingy the Gingerbread Man and a ferocious fire-breathing dragon…. With a huge cast of fairytale characters, and a chorus of tap dancing rats!!

The stellar cast also includes; Ashleigh Harvey, Kyra Green, Luciano Zuppa, Samuel Hyde, Daniel Fisher, Tumelo Tokgwi, Senzo Radebe, Zchane Zietsman, Shani McLea, Sarah Richard, Caitlyn Thompson, Sarah Falconer and more.

The Johannesburg premiere of the hit Broadway show Shrek The Musical will be the first of many major productions to be staged at Gold Reef City following the completion of the recent multi-million Rand redevelopment; the premiere entertainment destination in the south of Johannesburg.

“The recent extensive refurbishment and expansion of Gold Reef City has created a perfect opportunity for us to stage this superb and larger-than-life Broadway inspired musical adaptation of the hit movie “Shrek”.  This magnificent production will feature a large cast, spectacular music and great humour that will delight both children and adults alike”, says Noeleen Bruton,  Director of Marketing – Tsogo Sun Group.

Shrek the Musical is directed by Steven Stead, designed by Greg King, choreographed by Janine Bennewith, lighting by Tina le Roux with musical direction by Rowan Bakker. It is based on the 2001 DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture Shrek! and the book by William Steig. The musical adaptation has book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori.

Shrek the Musical has become a global phenomenon with productions staged internationally including on the WestEnd and Broadway. With an enormous cast, a fabulous score; speedy set changes; extravagant costumes, prosthetics and make-up – this is quite possibly one of the most challenging and elaborate productions staged by multi-award winning producers, KickstArt. It promises to be quite extraordinary, deliciously funny and a joyous romp for the whole family!

The story revolves around a benign ogre named Shrek who lives contentedly alone in a swamp. However, his solitude is disrupted when a band of disgruntled fairytale creatures show up on his property after having been banished from the Kingdom of Duloc, on pain of death, by the evil Lord Farquaad.

Irritated by having to share his swamp, Shrek journeys to see Farquaad  with the intention of regaining his privacy. On the road, he rescues a talkative donkey who insists on tagging along to show him the way. Shrek and Donkey arrive in Duloc where Farquaad demands that Shrek rescue his intended, Princess Fiona. The two unlikely friends set off to save Fiona. After a quest involving a fire-breathing lady dragon, Princess Fiona is “rescued” from the tower by Shrek. On the way back to Duloc, Shrek and Princess Fiona get better acquainted and Donkey tries, unsuccessfully, to match-make them.

As Princess Fiona and Lord Farquaad are about to be married, there is an uprising from the fairytale characters, and Princess Fiona realises that Lord Farqaad is perhaps not her champion after all. And in the tradition of all good fairy stories, the villain is vanquished, the hero finds true love, and they all live happily ever after….

In the recent BroadwayWorld.com 2015 Awards, Shrek received two further awards; for best Costume Design (Greg King) and Best Family Friendly Entertainment.  And now it’s Jozi’s turn to enjoy this Shrektacular theatre production that’s been turbo charged as it brings a favourite movie to life on stage!  There is no better quality entertainment to be enjoyed in the winter holidays that’s ideal for everyone, not just the kids. A Broadway production at an affordable price!

Shrek The Musical is on at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City

24 June to 17 July 2016.

Afternoon performances run from Wednesdays to Sundays at 14h30 with evening performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 19h30.

Bookings can be made at www.goldreefcity.co.za or by calling The Gold Reef City Box Office on 011 248 5000 or through Computicket.

Tickets range from R150 – R290.

A variety of discounts apply:Tsogo Sun Rewards cardholders enjoy instant savings: 10% (Gold); 15% (Platinum); 20% (Black).

Group bookings of 20 or more qualify for a 10% discount if booked directly with the Gold Reef City Box Office only on

011 248 5000.

Edgars Club card holders enjoy a 10% discount.

Shrek-tacular Show & Stay Deals are available at The Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel and include a delicious buffet breakfast at Barney’s Restaurant, access to all major rides and entertainment in the Theme Park, show tickets, and complimentary shuttle service to and from the casino complex.  Visit goldreefcity.co.za for information, contact Gold Reef City Reservations on 011 248 5700, or email Goldreef.reservations@tsogosun.com to book today.

The show runs for 2 hours 10 minutes with a 20-minute interval.

NO CHILDREN UNDER 4 YEARS will be admitted into the auditorium.

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