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Swinging back to the 60s
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June 2, 2009
 By Billy Suter
Stage
Twist and shout
Upper deck restaurant
UShaka Marine world, Durban
The Little Top, a small stage that used to be on the Durban beach near the XL tearoom, and long a crowd-puller for its talent contests in years gone by, provides the setting for the opening of this enjoyable new supper show on the deck of the ship at Durban's uShaka Marine World.
The time is 1969 and two finalists in a talent contest - one an Afrikaans-accented blonde called Lollipop (Lauren Laing), the other a cheesy boy band, The Dingles, dressed in plaid (Durban vocal group Tequila Sunrise, comprising Lyle Buxton, Jonothan Didlick, Cavin Sewell and Bradley Marhsall) - end up sharing the first prize handed out by the Little Top host, played by Twist and Shout's producer, Wayne Scott.
The prize is a trip to London and, on return to South Africa, a recording contract, all of which paves the way for Lolly and The Dingles to mature as artists, most notably during a few months of gigging at a London club run by a Jamaican.
And when they return home they have not only grown as people and performers, but some in the group have found love.
That's the gist of it in a well-paced and slickly presented show which, written and directed by Charon Williams-Ros, bobs along on a wave of hits from the 60s, and is already proving a winner.
Saturday's show sold out quickly and attracted a hugely appreciative audience.
The vocalists are backed by the tight Solid Gold Band, headed by musical director and keyboardist Shem Mahabeer and featuring bassist Llewellyn Chetty, lead and acoustic guitarist Jarred James and drummer Dylan Kanny.
This group is now perched behind additional stage panelling to help contain its big sound, so as to avoid the over-amplification that has sometimes drowned lead vocals in previous shows.
The move works well and adds extra dimension to the large stage.
And if the downside is that the band members are partially hidden, some are allowed to come forward now and then and all musicians take front-of-stage bows during the finale.
A wide variety of well-chosen 60s songs has been selected for the show, with the youthful and attractive cast appearing in varying combinations to perform them.
They parade in a number of very good costumes designed by Marshall, whose only slip-up is an unflattering, truly dowdy tie-dye dress poor Laing is saddled with in the second half - a purple-and-white frock with pumps, a get-up more ugly-80s than swinging-60s.
A jam-packed songlist (38 songs in total, some in medley form) includes the South African favourites Sunglasses and Master Jack (a nice arrangement) as well as classics associated with acts as varied as The Beatles, Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Hollies, Manfred Mann, Dionne Warwick, The Doors, The Troggs, Dusty Springfield and Cilla Black, among others.
The team has an easy confidence, good chemistry and impressive vocal chops, making for very pleasant entertainment.
Standout moments include versatile charmer Didlick gyrating through a Tom Jones medley, even leaving the stage for a playful lapdance with an audience member.
The more debonair Buxton shines brightest on Ferry Cross the Mersey and Marshall, who is increasing in confidence with every show, offers a surprisingly good, nicely animated rendition of The Stones's Satisfaction.
Mischievous Sewell sparkles continually, donning wig and dress to tap a tambourine for a fun Mamas and the Papas sequence.
He is also good value alongside the always-expressive Laing in a shuffle, on a park bench, through an amusing Cinderella Rockefella, the 1968 novelty ditty that was a massive success for Israeli duo Esta and Abi Ofarim.
As for Laing, she has a sweet voice (albeit sometimes just a teeny bit shrill at times) and is a good looker with an easy rapport with both her co-stars and her audience.
She always offers heartfelt performances and more than holds her own as the rose between the thorns here, highlights including You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, You're My World and These Boots Are Made For Walking.
Twist and Shout is scheduled to run every Wednesday to Saturday until July 18.
Showtime is 8pm and the ample buffet, included in the R150-a-head ticket price, is served from an hour before.
Booking is at Computicket outlets, or call the venue at 031 328 8068.
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