Terrey prescribes the best medicine in town

December 1, 2009
By Diane de Beer

Spoof Full Of Sugar
DIRECTOR: Malcolm Terrey
CAST: Brandon Auret, Ntsepa Pitjeng, Dianne Simpson, Pieter Bosch Botha
MUSICAL DIRECTOR/PIANIST: Dawid Boverhoff
VENUE: Old Mutual Theatre on the Square
UNTIL: December 31
RATING: ****

A few too many years back, Malcolm Terrey's Joburg Follies was an institution of the Johannesburg theatre calendar. But the break was good for everyone, it appears.

He's back, but this time it's in the director's chair and with a wonderful cast. In fact, they're a huge part of the success of this spoof because of their energy, commitment and sheer talent. Each one of them has a star turn, from Bosch Botha's brilliant Tannie Evita knock-off, Auret and Pitjeng's kvetching pyjama babes, Simpson's spot-on accents and caricatures and, as a final show-stopper, Pitjeng's unique and knock-out rendition of Memories.

It all began, says Terrey, because of the South African lust for celebrity. They can't get enough, yet no one ever confesses to reading Heat or Huisgenoot. And this is where they dig in - deliciously deliberately.

It's not the usual old hobby horses of crime, politicians or even taxis. It's not that they steer clear completely, but for this show we're dealing in Steve and Joost rather than Jackie and Jacob.

It's sharp, sophisticated and naughty fun, because these are actors jousting mainly with those in front rather than behind the cameras. They know how the game is played and the games people play, so they let rip.

They don't spare a soul. From the name changes of the Civic Theatre, now settled as the Joburg Theatre, to the snoringly boring Barnyard shows that come by as if on a factory conveyor belt, to the titillating banter between critics or TV hosts, all names we recognise.

There's the news reader with "hair", another fine take by Bosch Botha, the sex kitten and her cooking, a melancholy Mr Instant Fame, with most of the spoofing relying on familiar show tunes to do the trick.

These are given fresh lyrics, but as we recognise the song, we're immediately part of the action.

Terrey has gathered his cast, given them spectacular guidance and they're up for the task. He is a director who knows the delicate balancing point, when to push and when to let go and more than most, how to make them laugh.