SNOOPY!!!
CAST: Steven Stead, Bryan Hiles, Carol Trench, Caitlin Kilburn, Graeme Wicks, Katy Moore and Evashnee Pillay
VENUE: Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
RUNS UNTIL: Sunday
RATING: ****
IF you’ve never encountered the character of Snoopy before, he is the creation of US cartoonist, the late Charles M Schulz. A beagle of independent attitude, Snoopy is one of the characters in Schulz’s comic strip Peanuts.
Snoopy belongs to Charlie Brown, a melancholy lad who is much put-upon by his sister, Sally. His group includes the self-opinionated Lucy and her brother, Linus, who is permanently attached to his blanket, the tomboy Peppermint Patty who has her eyes set on Charlie, and Snoopy’s best mate, Wood-stock, a quivering yellow bird of little speech.
KickstArt Productions’ Steven Stead, who co-directed Snoopy!!! with Charon Williams-Ros, stars as Snoopy, a role that requires strong dance skills, and sails through.
On a set designed by Greg King, the production sees the return to the Durban stage of Carol Trench. She gives her all to the role of Lucy who enjoys dominating Charlie Brown, a good performance by Bryan Hiles. Graeme Wicks is a delightful Linus, Caitlin Kilburn is a feisty Peppermint Patty and Katy Moore is a pert Sally. Evashnee Pillay is a charming Woodstock.
Cartoons invariably have a satirical message and Peanuts is no different. With no specific storyline, Snoopy!!! is an energetic romp for the whole family. That’s on the surface, but look deeper and you’ll find it’s a satirical comment on life itself.
While many of the numbers are brash and strident, there are also some gentle melodies that offer much poignancy. Providing the backing is musical director Justin Southey on piano with Bruce Baker on percussion. Lighting and sound design is by Tina la Roux and Stephanie Pais with Leigh Meyer and Janine Bennewith as choreographers and costume design by Neil Stuart Harris. – Artsmart.co.za
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