Fish-nets, leather for feisty music show

Published May 14, 2014

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FISH-net stockings, provocative dancing, lots of leather and some of the most-loved tunes of all time. Put these together and you have one helluva show. This is the Barnyard Theatre’s latest production, Battle of the Sexes. The ultimate challenge: male rock stars take on the divas in a rock ’n’ roll showdown.

Nobody will ever win the battle of the sexes, of course, but for music lovers this is a celebration of musical icons who’ve made their mark on our lives with their music and song.

The 10-piece cast includes Jonothan Didlick (host and vocals), Phaksy Mngomezulu (vocals), Chrystal Worship (vocals), Chloe Geldenhuys (vocals), James Dobson (key-boards & vocals), Jethro Stange (guitar), Rossouw Coetzee (bass guitar and backing vocals), Brink Jacobs (drums), Paula Dawson (dancer) and Natalie Heyns (dancer).

As the host and one of the male vocalists of the show, Didlick does a fine job to charm the audience with his charisma on stage.

He also sends the crowd into a fit of giggles as he portrays his various roles. His good looks don’t hurt either.

During the first act you hear songs like Going to the Chapel, Natural Woman, Material Girl and Lionel Richie’s Hello. The second act includes California Girls, Use Somebody, Bed of Roses and Born This Way. The entire team is energetic and the cast also builds amazing synergy with the audience.

Big-ups to female vocalist, Worship, who undoubtedly stole the show with her stunning vocals and passionate performances. Her performance of Tina Turner’s Proud Mary was a crowd favourite. She never disappoints and she embodies a true professional, all the while having fun as she does it.

Other awesome scenes include male vocalists Didlick’s rendition of Queen’s One Vision and Chris de Burgh’s Patricia The Stripper.

The crowd thoroughly enjoyed these performances. Some in the audience hopped on to the tables in the theatre, dancing and singing along. But Didlick raised the roof with cheers and screams from the women when he appeared shirtless and then stripped down to his briefs in his performance of Patricia The Stripper. The atmosphere was electric.

The choreography is by Drew Mathie and is probably why the show is such a success. The dancers are a highlight of the show with their raunchy and provocative dance moves. Definitely one for the guys.

The set and costumes is by The Barnyard Theatre Productions and cannot be faulted. All-in-all, Battle of the Sexes is an exciting production that provides a good time. However, it’s suitable for a more mature audience due to the provocative costume and dancing.

• Battle of the Sexes runs until June 1. Tickets: R145pp from Wednesday to Saturday. Discounted specials of R110pp every Tuesday night and R100pp for the Sunday matinee show. For bookings, call The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045.

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