Writer/Director: Janice Honeyman
Set and costumes: Qdos International
Musical director: Heidi Edeling
Choreographer: Timothy Le Roux
Cast: Desmond Dube, Andre Schwartz, KB, Michelle Botha, Aubrey Poo, Jeffrey Sebogodi, Trudy-Anne Fredericks, special guest stars Eden and ensemble
Venue: Nelson Mandela Theatre, Joburg Civic
Dates: Until December 31
Janice Honeyman hit the jackpot with this year's Dame when she cast the delightful Desmond Dube as Dame Winnie Wotalotigot and gave her the funkiest set of wheels, the sassy segway that moves as swiftly and sweetly as the show demands.
Luck has never been an issue in the Honeyman casting though. She knows how to pick 'em and half the battle is won when she has her stars all lined up and ready to swing.
From the sensual, sweet-voiced KB as the princess/kitten to the nifty, fleet-footed Jeffrey Sebogodi as Wishee Washee Wussy Wimp, Jay, supported by the rest of the Eden boy band, as Aladdin, the charismatic Aubrey Poo as the powerful Genii Jabulani Joller, powerhouse Andre Schwartz as the evil Agge-Nee-A Abanazar and Michelle Botha as a deliciously dilly Empress Wun Tun Tum, the director has full command of the stage with her finely tuned ensemble who know how to play this one full tilt.
The stage is magically dressed, the voices are magnificent and the script creatively structured to win the hearts and minds of young and old. There's enough panto for the whole family as the writer aims both high and low in equal measure. Subtleties abound and you have to know your stuff to pick up on all the nuances, but that's half the fun.
Dube sets the tone with a performance that's smartly his own. His dame is one that fills the stage with personality and oomph. He has all the moves on the segway, and from bottom with striped socks and booties to top with a hat that resembles a house, broom in hand, he fills the stage with sparkling presence - and a voice to boot. This one will be difficult to top. His smile alone dazzles and that's without saying a word.
But he's not allowed to hog the stage as KB twinkles her toes and struts her stuff in a ruby red dress with a voice as smooth as honey and a sway of hips that holds the attention. She knows how to flutter those big beautiful eyes, flash a smile and then dive gloriously into song.
Also making the role her own is Michelle Botha as the no-nonsense Empress Wun Tun Tum with an accent to die for and lips that could sink a ship. Her timing is spot-on and she perfectly manages to deliberately debunk her beautiful voice so that the pitch is just off.
Sebogodi delivers another energetic turn as the tapping, tumbling Wishee Washee Wussy Wimp in perfect panto mode and Schwartz turns on the heat as the big bad Agge-Nee-A Abanazer with Honeyman having loads of fun with this musical maestro.
Poo makes the most of his time on stage with a powerful voice and performance.
Using the Eden boys as a team works well and in his second turn in the title role, Jay is the perfect foil for his stunning princess as their voices blend superbly.
There was a slight echo on the sound on opening night and there were a few times when the energy lagged a little but other than that, Honeyman can take her usual bow.
Her panto cred is supreme and every year she manages to add yet another local layer to what used to be traditional British fare. She has truly turned her annual show into a wondrous concoction of koeksisters and putu pap.