| What: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Where: The Masque and Milnerton Playhouse Venue, dates and booking links: The Masque in Muizenberg, May 22 to June 6, 2026. Book at Quicket Milnerton Playhouse, June 19 to July 5, 2026. Bookings https://milnertonplayers.co.za/product/gentlemens-guide-to-love-and-murder/ Age restriction: No under 13s Director: Kyla Thorburn Musical director: Barend Van Der Westhuizen Cast: Includes – Regina Malan, Barend Van Der Westhuizen, Lara Basson, Nick Plummer and Melissa Sanderson |
The Tony Award winning musical is on in Cape Town and is a must see. The script is stunning. The production is stunning, with knockout performances by the principals and ensemble. The principals are Regina Malan, Barend Van Der Westhuizen, Nick Plummer, Lara Basson and Melissa Sanderson. The ensemble is cooking as an omnipresent Greek Chorus: Nicky Enticott, Duard Lieberman, Kirsty-Jayne Povey. Wayne Ronné, Clarenda van der Walt (also swing for Phoebe) and Fiona Tanner.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder musical won FOUR Tony awards in 2014 – including Best Musical and Best Book. As far as I can ascertain, this is the first production in South Africa. One wonders why it has taken so long for us to see this comedy-farce musical in South Africa.
Love and Murder is loads of fun, funny and entertaining, with droll digs at marriage, love and “The English Empire” and The Boer War. Love and Murder is set in 1907-09 Victorian London and shreds notions of class, plummy aristocracy and snobbery of the time – oh wait – it still prevails.
It is about Monty Navarro who is a “gentleman” of good “stock” but with limited means. His mother failed to disclose that she came from a family with pedigree, money, power and influence. When she dies, everything is revealed and he goes on a murder spree to get rid of those in the line to inherit. In between all his plotting, Monty canoodles with his squeezes. Loads of fun. Yes they do the famous hallway scene – with Monty (Van der Westhuizen), being tugged at by his two loves, Sibella (Regina Malan) and Phoebe (Lara Basson. I have watched this scene online, but nothing beats live. [See featured image on this page(. The hallway set is a marvel – a character in its own right. Malan and Basson are magic – vocally and theatrically – as they woo their man – complicated by all the stuff about class, privileged and being entitled. It is a scrumptious love story and you will have to see how it ends.
Van Der Westhuizen plays Monty as a charmingly seductive. He is a villain but we are fascinated by – rather than repelled by him. The role is a wonderful showcase for Van Der Westhuizen yummy bass-baritone voice and acting smarts. He is also the musical director. In an interview, he explained: “The musical incorporates elements of the “penny dreadful” tradition by drawing on musical styles that mirror 19th-century melodrama, British music hall entertainment, and operetta. The score cleverly transforms violent and dark events into light-hearted comic spectacle, making it surprisingly easy for the audience to enjoy — and even support — Monty’s actions.”
Nick Plummer is PHENOMENAL as the nine D’Ysquith characters. Watch until the end, as Plummer channels the final countdown in this tale of love and murder. The tall and stately Plummer transitions seamlessly between characters. And that involves quick change in terms of wardrobe. Wait, I will get there.
Melissa Sanderson brings verve and chutzpah to the role as Miss Marietta Shingle, the friend of Monty’s late mom and the one who triggers Monty’s killing spree.
A shout-out to Fiona Tanner, in a glittery sparkly dress brings down the house as Lady Eugenia D’Ysquith. Absolutely to die-for lines such as: “You wrinkled old kumquat”. The script (book) is brilliant and the cast delivers the dialogue and song, so that we can savour every word. Robert L. Freedman wrote the book and lyrics and Steven Lutvak composed the music. And to reiterate, it won FOUR Tony Awards.
The brilliant Kyla Thorburn’s direction is a master class. It starts as a farce, with frenetic exits and entrances in Act 1 and then it becomes darker in Act 2. There are shades of Sondhiem’s Sweeney Todd, particularly in the second act. With 44 scenes, it this madcap farce, with a complex plot, could be chaotic. Thorburn’s articulate direction, facilitates seamless transitions – sets and rapid fire costume changes. She also conceptualised the set design, with vignettes. For example, the, ensemble pop up in this mad story, through port holes and spaces. Thornburn’s concept was then designed by York Freon.
Costume design is by the award winning Nicky Enticott – who is also in the ensemble. Faeron Wheeler, the Masque programming manager and producer of Love and murder said that there are 16 costume changes during the production. Thirteen costumes changes are in the first act. Talk about speed wardrobe: “There are six costume changes in the final 13 minutes of Act 1! The shortest costume change is 10 seconds.” Google tells me that it is customary to have three dressers just for the actor who plays the members of the D’Ysquith clan. For this production, they have one member of the backstage crew who is a dedicated quick changer to assist Nick Plummer. The others do it for themselves.
Regina Malan who made the quirky props. People tend to have multiple roles in community theatre. Yes, it is community theatre. Yes, these creatives do it for the love and pleasure of theatre. Yes, inevitably in community theatre, the enthusiasm and fun the cast is having, must be viewed with deficiencies. Just as with theatre, where people are getting paid; some productions are better than others. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and is an exceptional production. Let us not forget that they have day jobs. Mention must be made, that most of the cast, are already award winning. Many have multiple degrees in music and performance. This production is a winner. Do not miss.
I attended the FDR (final dress rehearsal) as I can’t get to current run at Masque in Muizenberg, May 22 to June 6, 2026.
I loved, loved A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder so much that I am going to see it again, when it is on at the Milnerton Playhouse, June 19 to July 5, 2026.
✳ Related coverage on TheCapeRobyn: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Barend Van Der Westhuizen in conversation https://thecaperobyn.co.za/interview-a-gentlemans-guide-to-love-and-murder-barend-van-der-westhuizen-in-conversation/
❇ Featured image: Regina Malan, Barend Van Der Westhuizen, Lara Basson in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Cape Town, May-June 2026. This is the iconic “hallway scene”. Pic: Faeron Wheeler. Supplied.
