Spoof Full of Sugar is a sweet success

Peter Feldman
11/30/2009 11:49:50

Peter Feldman: Malcolm Terrey is an extremely gifted performer whose comic skills have been seen in a huge number of productions. His innate ability to home in on a subject and extract something funny from it has always been a strong factor in his theatrical make-up.

He contributed material to the ever-popular "Jo'burg Follies" series and in this new production, which has echoes of "Follies," Terrey puts the world of show business under his microscope and emerges with an extremely witty, fun-filled roller-coaster ride with a splendid group of home-grown talent.

The four-strong cast, comprising Brandon Auret, Ntsepa Pitjeng, Dianne Simpson and Pieter Bosch Botha, make an indelible impression as they switch roles and characters to bring a dazzlingly demonic look at the South African entertainment scene.

Nothing escapes the eagle-eye of Terrey whose rapier-like wit helps spoof most of today's high maintenance celebs, soapies, TV show, high-profile critics and anything to do with that show business thing. It's an often hilarious assault on the senses as the well-oiled cast, decked out in zany costumes and wigs, and singing famous show numbers appropriately adapted for the occasion, produce the goods.

There are 30 different sketches paraded before the audience and these are slickly handled, though on opening night a sketch around film fundi Barry Ronge came somewhat unstuck when the two players broke into hysterical laughter as they began corpsing.

Dianne Simpson and Ntsepa Pitjeng, with her infectious laugh, perhaps shaded the men in the vocal department. Simpson has a wonderful voice and fine comic timing, while Pitjeng made a meal out of almost every scene in which she appeared

Pitjang brought the house down with a wonderfully acerbic version of "Memory" called "Mammary" while Simpson hit the right notes with "Cooking with Sex," a "new late-night show on e.tv, and a brilliant parody of Top Billing.

The men, Auret and Bosch Botha, show their mettle with Auret outstanding in a sketch entitled "My Least Favourite Things," and Bosch Botha doing a striking take-off, word for word, of Tannie Evita Buizenhout.

The show has a loosely woven story about a once famous South African actress found murdered during a performance of "Beauty and the Beast" and how an inept police force is simply not interested in solving the case. They would rather read gossip magazines in the safety of their control room.

Providing faultless accompaniment is lone pianist Dawid Boverhoof who certainly caught the eye of Tannie Evita.

"Spoof Full of Sugar" is the ideal sweetener for the holiday season and when we can forget our woes and indulge in a healthy dose of laughter.

Spoof Full of Sugar is on at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square until December 31.