Creative inspiration
It’s no secret that I have been in theatre denial the last three months. It’s been bad. So bad that I have actively avoided going to see anything, and I have even avoided doing anything theatre related. My work has taken me elsewhere (which has been interesting, stressful and eye-opening) and I have been totally out of the loop.
I was nervous when I agreed to play TheatreSports last night, in the final performance of a week’s run at The Kalk Bay Theatre; I haven’t played or been involved for months. The anxious excitement had me listening to hard-core kwaito in the car on the way. Really, I had nothing to be afraid of. It was a tiny, intimate audience and we were on top form!
I haven’t played with Heather Mac, who has rejoined the group, in 12 or so years, and we were in a team together. What a delight! We started off by singing the National Anthem of Gobleenya. We discussed an Irish poem called The Slimy Green Goblins under the Rock, and Heather and Leon put it to music. We made friends for life after a navel staring incident in the bathroom of the Woodstock library. We were camels in a Western. I was her English daughter-with-a-beard in an English period drama set in India. I can’t remember when last I had such total and complete fun!
It was also a special night for Anne Hirsch; it was her first performance in front of an audience, and she was fantastic. She spent the evening with fabulous TS veteran, Candice D’Arcy, who looked after her in the best, creative and supportive way.
I have to admit that I am already thinking about when I’ll play again. TheatreSports, you are the other beautiful game, and I love you!
Angels on horseback; a very lekker ride
It was the rather glam opening of Angels on Horseback at On Broadway last night and I took my friend Frob, who is shooting a movie in Slaap Stad, with. And a jolly good, thigh slapping, yeehaing, toe tapping time was had by all.
I first saw (and wrote about) Angels on Horseback way back in 2007, and the show has come a long way since then. In fact, other than the same team (except for Bood) it is hardly recognisable as the same show. This version is slicker, funnier, prettier, tighter and there’s more of it too.
So what is this show Angels on Horseback? It’s Candice D’Arcy and Fiona du Plooy singing, dancing and even baking and horse riding, backed up by Jamie Jupiter and Gene Kierman on many various guitars, drums, a small tuba thing, and even voices. This is all directed and made sexy and funny by Peter Hayes.
I love the original songs. They are very, very funny and sharp and really entertaining. I love Oh Johannes, Erotic Kitchen and Doop Doop. Some of the covers are excellent choices too; my favourites being Gene’s version of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You, Don’tcha and the hilarious Texas Annie. I am still struggling with the version of The Boss’s Dancing in the Dark, but let’s face it, when it comes to Springsteen (and probably only him) I’m a bit of a purist. Nothing will get Candice’s headpiece out of my mind. You gotta see it to believe it!
This show has got a lot going for it. It is proper, genuine entertainment. Because both lurvely ladies are primarily actors, their skill is in delivering a performance, making the songs into little scenes, which for the most part are hilarious. I think the more serious stuff is not as successful; but there’s not too much of that. It’s the pony riding, real rhyming, square (ish) dancing stuff that I lurve. 
Jamie and Gene have come a long way since I first saw them. They have made that difficult transition from pure musician to entertaining performer and they are both totally engaging, funny and delightful, as well as being the great musos they are.
This show hits the scene at a great time. I was feeling a bit starved for good entertainment, and here it is, like Ryk Neethling, on a silver tray. This original show is a blues chaser. It’s feel good. It’s good mood. And it’s well done. It’s not another tribute show (thank the gods). And it’s cheap! Tickets are R85 per person, and there are two halves. Put yr cowboy boots on and dig out your stetsons and make sure you see this one. The run is until 21 March.
Cool offer for Cowboys and girls
So, almost two years ago I saw Angels on Horseback, a cheeky and hilarious romp through some great original country songs with some very funny and even rude lyrics, fronted by Candice D’Arcy and Fiona du Plooy. Now they are doing a brand new version of this cool show and there is a preview on the 3rd of March and you can pick up a ticket for a lowly R50!
Oh, it helps if I tell you the where and when hey? Angels on Horseback is at On Broadway and runs ’til the 21 March. Yee ha!
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Randomness
