Nothing's sacred in this rambunctious revue

Jan 4, 2010 11:07 PM | By ANDREA NAGEL

To start the new year with a laugh, The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton presents the wickedly funny musical hit, Tomfoolery, which runs from January 11 to February 13.

Starring Kate Normington, Malcolm Terrey, and Matthew Stewardson, this musical features the barbed and rapier-like wit of Tom Lehrer and showcases his familiar satirical songs.

The genius of Lehrer hits you smack in the face as the songs go from wacky to deliciously wicked. There is little that escapes Lehrer's sharp eye. Three actors, a trio of musicians, and a healthy dose of attitude bring the devilishly off-beat and thoroughly twisted world of the famed songwriter to life on the stage.

In concerts, television appearances and a series of now-classic recordings, the Harvard-educated math professor has delighted millions of fans during the past 56 years with his dry and cynical but good-humoured attacks on war, racism, religion, pollution, pornography, the military, the boy scouts and mathematics.

There are no sacred cows in this rambunctious musical revue featuring Lehrer favourites such as Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, When You are Old and Grey,The Masochism Tango,The Old Dope Peddler,The Vatican Rag and an unforgettable Gilbert and Sullivan-esque recitation of the table of elements, linked with an updated commentary on the world.

The original musical arrangements by Robert Fisher are adapted for the stage by Cameron MacKintosh and his narrative links Lehrer's greatest songs from the 1950s and 1960s into a wonderfully humorous evening.

This brand-new production, brought up to date by its stellar cast, will be directed by Greg Homann, who also directed Pterodactyls, Brothers in Blood and Lord of the Flies.

The cast is led by Normington, recently seen in Hairspray, High School Musical and Bombshells, Terrey who delighted audiences in We Will Rock You and Spoof Full of Sugar and Stewardson, who played the role of Dean Martin in The Rat Pack.