Review: No Matter What online, Milnerton Players

Review: No Matter What -a tribute to theatre, presented by the Milnerton Players – online recording

In November 2020, The Milnerton Players, presented, No Matter What -a tribute to theatre. There were two performances, staged in The Milnerton Playhouse. The cast of ten, accompanied by Rouzanna Coxon, performed for masked audience. Seating was reduced as per Covid regulations. The show was filmed. One can hear the absolute delight of the audience, applauding after each number.

In October and November 2020, there was a burst of life performance in Cape Town as the curtain went up – with adherence to Covid regulations. Infection rates had been stable and shows were staged. In December, with the surge of the new Covid variant, most live performance was put on pause. It is legal to stage theatre under level 3, amended regulations but most theatres and have brought the curtain down. It is back to the digital stage as we stay safe at home.

I thoroughly enjoyed No Matter What, under the direction of Bonny White. The cast features Christine Thonissen, Fiona Tanner, Frances Sholto-Douglas, Georgia Bailey, Kaylene Hendricks, Kristina Burge, Mia Hough, Nicole van Blerk, Noah de Villiers and Rob Coutts, accompanied by Rouzanna Coxon. These artists work in community theatre with the AmDram societies. AmDram is an archaic term. There is nothing amateur about these singers. They perform, sans payment. It is their contribution to community theatre.

The playlist of No Matter What, features wistful and elegiac songs – some I am not familiar with – which resonate very much with being caught up in the pandemic. No matter, what, artists continue to create and be hopeful that one day, there will be an opportunity to go on stage again. This company went for the gap in November 2020- for two nights only. Lovely music and lyrics. I loves Single Threat (Carner & Gregor), performed by Rob Coutts- complete with “bad” dancing/acrobatics. The audience swooned in appreciation. Stunning set. Music is my Friend (Josh Freilich) withNoah de Villiers is stirring – a fabulous performer. One smiles at Go into Finance (Billy Recce), sung by Frances Sholto-Douglas. Yeah, this is not a time when a career on stage is financially viable. All up, this show is filled with whimsy and mirth. The resilience and hope shines through – that no matter what- they will keep singing.

Proceeds from the live shows and the online broadcast, will assist the Milnerton Players in paying its costs at the Milnerton Playhouse. The theatre is owned by the municipality but the society need to find funds to pay for water, electricity and other expenses. Long live community theatre. Watch this show. You will smile. You will applaud the artistry of these creatives, singing for the love of theatre.