Review: Maurice Kort

From small beginnings as long ago as 1984 with the production of a musical revue London Calling by a group of keen amateur singers and dancers, The Company of Theatre Arts (COTA) started out at the now defunct St Johns Theatre in Old Fort Road (now K E Masinga Road). COTA is still alive and very much kicking - witness their superb dancing in One Hit Wonders their latest offering. They have moved to several more established venues, more recently the Westville Civic Centre and the Elizabeth Sneddon and Rhumbelow Theatres and now the Heritage Theatre.

Don't be misled by their amateur status - this is only because they all have other jobs and give up many hours of their spare time to attend long hours of rehearsals to do what they all love, tread the boards and sing and dance in very slick productions. The Director and Choreographer, Fiona Barnes-Snyder, and the Musical Director, Liz Cunningham, have moulded the cast of nine talented lithesome ladies (Georgina Mabbett, Hannah Thomson, Janine de Froberville, Kerry Brown, Lauren Alblas, Leigh Meyer, Liz Cunningham,
Meghan Moore and Tarique Mullany) and equally talented men (Doug Shewell, Jaco de Wet, Neil Snyder, Richard Alberts and Scott McConnell) into a musical that spotlights some of the greatest songs from 1958 to 2006. Be not misled if you do not recognise any of these names, you might well get to know them well in the future. Many established artists of today started out with COTA, think of Gary MacKenzie, Grant Bell and John
Didlick of The Gee Jays, Jonathan Didlick, Melanie Roberts, Karen Campbell-Gillies, Ricky McGregor and Jacqui Majoor.

The title of the show celebrates the songs and artists who have had a number one hit and then never been heard of again - or never risen to similar heights. One song follows another in rapid succession, hardly giving the audience an opportunity to give their well deserved applause and great thought has been given to the choice of songs and their order. For example Rhythm of the Rain (The Cascades) was followed by Raindrops Keep Falling (B J Thomas) and then Raining Men (The Weather Girls), all very well executed and most enjoyable. What a joy to hear Ag Pleeze Daddy (Jeremy Taylor) - a great hit of my youth - once again, as well as Hey Witchdoctor (David Seville), My Boy Lollipop (Millie Small) and Boots are Made for Walking (Nancy Sinatra). The actors put much expression into their performances so that the show is more than just a compilation of songs. Some are very humorous as a result, for example I Want to Wake Up With You
(Boris Gardiner), Dock of the Bay (Ottis Redding) and I'm Too Sexy (Right Said Fred). What was sexy though was Centrefold (The J Geils Band). Being very much an ensemble production, it would not be appropriate to single out any individual singer or dancer, especially as they all acquitted themselves remarkably well and there are indeed many bright new stars in the making.

The dancers acquitted themselves superbly and in several dance styles including a tap number. The second act was particularly frenetic with Tequila (Champs), Hippy Shake (Chan Romero), Macarena (Los del Rio), Mambo No 5 (Lou Bega), Escape - Pina Colada Song (Rupert Holmes) and the resounding encore Cotton Eye Joe (Rednex).

In all there were a lightning 22 songs in Act 1 and 20 numbers in Act 2 for which the Heritage Theatre stage was cleverly transformed into a daytime Cafe street scene and a vibrant nightclub/cocktail bar, respectively. As much thought was given to the many delightful costumes in the show, as well as no expense being spared, except perhaps in the amount of material used in the skirts and ladies' raincoats, all delightfully short in the
extreme.

With this being the first appearance of an amateur company on the stage of the Heritage Theatre, there is also a delicious new menu. For starters one has the choice of Chicken Livers in Spicy Tomato Chakalaka; Asian Beef Salad in a Teriyaki Sauce (a yummy choice); or a Spring Italian Salad of Jam Tomatoes and Mozzarella Cheese. For the main attraction, the options are Mozzarella and Feta Stuffed Chicken; Foil Baked Sole;
Premium Cut Sirloin with Mashed Potato and Roasted Butternut (my very good choice); or Baked Mushroom - the vegetarian option. There is an optional extra desert served during the interval of a Cheese Board; Banana, Caramel and Cinnamon Crepes; Biscuit Based Cheesecake with a Berry Coulis; Ice Cream with Hot Butterscotch Sauce; or Chocolate Brownie with Dark and White Chocolate Mousse.

One Hit Wonders runs at the Heritage Theatre from 21 September to 3 October 2010 at The Heritage Theatre, Hillcrest. Booking on 031-765 4197 or www.heritagetheatre.co.za Show times are Tuesday 7.00 p.m. for 8.30 p.m. show and Sunday lunch 12.30 p.m. for 2.00 p.m. show (R165.00 for two course meal and show) and Wednesday to Saturday 7.00 p.m. for 8.30 p.m. show (R190.00 for supper and show). It is a short run so hurry to book. Like me, the capacity crowd tonight loved the show.

Kind regards,
Maurice