DIVA FEVA
DIRECTOR: Joanne Fisher Steyn
CAST: Claire Jan Rowlett, Kerry-lee McKibbin, Danielle Fisher and Joanne Fisher Steyn
VENUE: The Rhumbelow Theatre
UNTIL: Sunday
RATING: ***
Diva Feva which is on at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo, is a fast-moving, jam- packed tribute to some of the world’s most popular female singers of all time.
Featuring Claire Jan Rowlett, Kerry-lee McKibbin, Danielle Fisher and Joanne Fisher Steyn, the production is high-spirited, mischievous and sexy, as the music of no less than 30 memorable stars is performed.
These include greats from the recent past such as Marilyn Monroe, The Supremes, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Abba, The Spice Girls and Madonna, to the modern chart-toppers such as Lady GaGa, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Katy Perry, Adele and Meghan Trainor.
Little time is wasted on chatter and the production offers pretty much wall-to-wall music. It is an entertaining and sometimes nostalgic journey through decades of memorable music.
Singing to lush backtracks Rowlett, McKibbin and the Fisher sisters start off slowly, but come into their own in the second half of the production when they show all of their experience and talent in a performance of note.
They sing the songs in combinations of quartet, trio, duo and solo performances. They all have powerful and versatile voices and harmonise well together.
A wonderful highlight of this production is the costumes. Every song features a fresh costume with plenty of glitz and glamour, feathers and sequins in evidence.
It is a colourful spectacle enhanced by the fabulous stage set which resembles a burlesque theatre dressing room and also by an imaginative and spectacular lighting design.
All credit to the performers for pulling off the many and very quick costume changes. One can only imagine that the change room must be chaos after the show.
With the plethora of music in the show there were many highlights, but none more so than the presentation of Dolly Parton’s Nine to Five. Sporting a spectacular bust which seemed to have a life of its own, it is a beautifully comic performance.
Also of note was the very funny impersonation of Amy Winehouse singing Valerie after having had a refreshment or two too many. All four cast members of Diva Feva have had an input into the song selection and crafting of the characters. They have done a very good job in creating the type of classy supper theatre, cabaret show for which the Rhumbelow Theatre is renowned.
Diva Feva, which is produced by Steyn Alive Productions, will be on at the Rhumbelow Theatre from Friday to Sunday.
Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 8pm and Sunday shows are at 6.30pm. There is an extra matinee performance on Saturday at 2pm.
Tickets R120 through Computicket or contact Roland at 082 499 8636. – ArtSmart.co.za
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