Billed as ‘the tribute of all tributes”, Six of the Best is a rip-roaring stage experience that draws to a close this week at the Barnyard Theatre.
The production stages a concert hypothetically featuring Freddie Mercury, Jon Bon Jovi, Meatloaf, Billy Joel, Pink and Cher. A host of top impersonators get into their celebrity skins: Darren Vercuil is Freddie Mercury, Tian Rautenbach is Meatloaf, James Dobson is Billy Joel, Ray Oberholzer is Jon Bon Jovi, Yvette Barnard is Pink and Lizaan Vermeulen is Cher. They are backed by Marcus Thatcher on guitar, Bongani Sokhela on bass guitar, Alan Lloyd on drums and Kirsty Madgin on saxophone.
Barnyard Theatre, Gateway, until August 24. Tickets are R125 from Wednesday to Saturday; R90 on Tuesday night and Sunday matinée show. Tel: 031 566 3045. See www.barnyardtheatres.co.za.
Recently opened is KickstArt’s exciting production of Kander and Ebb’s watershed musical Cabaret. This dark, classy, classic musical, set in Berlin’s jaded Kit Kat Klub in 1931, tells the story of a faded, world-weary, English, good-time cabaret performer, Sally Bowles, and her relationship with young American writer Cliff Bradshaw.
The production stars Lisa Bobbert, Bryan Hiles, Charon Williams-Ros, Peter Court, Clare Mortimer, Lyle Buxton, Janna Ramos-Violante, Liesl Coppin, Belinda Henwood, Marion Loudon and Jessica Sole. They are supported by Darren King, Sean de Klerk and Marc Kay.
Adding to the decadent atmosphere is German musical theatre star Sascha Halbhuber, who makes his South African debut as the sinister, sexy master of ceremonies, Emcee. The play is directed by Steven Stead. Musical direction is by Evan Roberts, choreography by Janine Bennewith, set design by Greg King, costume design by Neil Stuart-Harris, lighting design by Tina le Roux and sound design by Megan Levy.
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, until August 28. Performances take place on Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, at 6pm on Sunday and at 2.30pm on Saturday. Tickets are R150 at Computicket. The play contains adult material and has an age restriction of 14.