THE RED COAT TALES (7)
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
Singing, dancing, storytelling with a strong Durban influence, a drag queen, - and even a circus scene. The Red Coat Tales, billed as fun, family entertainment and a pantomime for the festive season has all that and more.
Written by Belinda Harward and directed by Peter Court, who also plays a leading role, this production, while a mish-mash of ideas and execution at times, seems likely to appeal to audiences of all ages with its over-the-top costumes, witty one-liners and the ability to draw in the audience to many of the scenes.
On a busy set complete with draped curtains, three mini-stages, steps and various props hanging from the top of the stage (plus a video screen) the nine-strong cast all work hard to keep the action going.
The Red Coat Tales is set in Durban, past and present and is appropriately described by the producers as both an adventure and a fairytale, full of ancient wisdom, with many popular song and dance sequences.
The cast's adventure takes them from the suburban streets of present-day Durban to the beachfront. From an agricultural fair in Pietermaritzburg to early Grey Street, and finally to The Great Circus - the world of Paracelsus, where the final showdown unfolds.
The producers have used many local frames of references with the Grand Dame (deliciously played by Darren King), hailing from Montclair with a sign and arrow announcing "Puntan's Hill" on centre stage.
We also have scenes taking place in Grey Street, the age-old Theo's Cafe in Umbilo Road and the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg.
The basic story line concerns a red coat which does the rounds before eventually falling into the hands of Paracelsus, played by Peter Court.
The production is narrated by Joel Zuma, who plays Malaika, while Neil Coppen and Clare Mortimer are the youngsters, Jake and Jill.
The beauty and grace is supplied by Stacey Taylor, who plays Solorairs (the songbird) while some of the best lines and laughs come from Adhir Kalyan who plays Joop, complete
with turban and Indian accent (and even some Scots, Welsh and others thrown in).
In between all the fun, the cast get to sing some songs including Dawn Selby's own composition, Believe. Coppen sings the Boyzone classic When You Say Nothing At All while Surfing RSA has the cast in full voice.
Taylor excels in the Mango Groove number Dance Some More but her best song is the haunting Celine Dion number Immortality, which was originally recorded with the Bee Gees.
The Red Coat Tales also feature 10 talented children who have been auditioned from five top Durban dance studios and they play their part with some tumbling and other acrobatics. Choreography is by Coral Chamberlain; stage and set design is by Mortimer and Court; costume design is by Mortimer and Court; lighting design is by Broderick and backing tracks are by Selby.
Performances are scheduled for Tuesday to Thursday at 7pm and Sundays at 6pm. Adults: R50, under 12s and OAPs (with ID) R30; Friday and Saturday at 7pm R60 (no concessions). Matinee performances will be on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2pm with tickets at R30 throughout.