Everything Old is New Again

A music review produced and preformed by members of the well established Company of Theatre Arts (COTA). "The Company" has been producing shows in Durban for the past 21 years in venues from the St Johns and Sneddon theatres to the Rhumbelow and Westville Civic Centre. The show consists of classics from the hit musicals "Guys & Dolls", "The Jungle Book", "Pippin" and songs from successful "Company" reviews - "Denim to Diamonds", "One Hit Wonders", "Stage & Screen" and the well known "London reviews", plus songs from the locally written shows "A twist of Lennon", "Oh Mr. Porter" and "To be Frank" ... to name a few.

The Company director Fiona Snyder says Everything Old is New Again is a musical revue incorporating popular numbers from past performances, woven together in a multi-coloured tapestry of talent mapping 21 years of creative excellence.

“With performers ranging in age from five to 71, we’ve tried to choose numbers that will be visually appealing, as well as bring back fond memories for the audience,” said Snyder. “You also have to bear in mind that being an amateur company, our budget is limited so we have to beg, borrow and steal … it’s a case of a lot of help from our friends!”

Returning to perform in the show is former company stalwart Jim Croeser, who now lives in Australia, while support is flowing in from members who are now household names on the local theatre circuit – including Gary McKenzie, Grant Bell and John Didlick of the Gee Jays fame, Ricky McGregor, who has produced California Dreaming, music sensation Dawn Selby, production guru Rosemary Schumann and sound whizz Ron Selby.

Durban cabaret artiste Melanie Roberts, now living in Dubai, also started her career in the company’s production of Guys and Dolls back in the 80s. In the production with her were Snyder and Liz Cunningham, who is now the company’s musical director.

Venue: The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
Show run: 26 April – 5 May 2007

Photos from Everything Old is New Again