| WILD at Kalk Bay Theatre When: Bookings up to end of February, 2024. 8.30pm – Thurs-to Sat. Audience tease-up at 8pm Where: Kalk Bay Theatre at Brass Bell Restaurants & Pubs, Main Rd, Kalk Bay Featuring: Vanessa Harris, Ashley Searle, Brad Searle, Jessica Köhler, Nathi Mazwai, Bianca Schulz, Anna Olivier, Jessica Faure Genre: Cirque | Burlesque | Cabaret | Comedy | Dance Created and produced by: Followspot Productions Age restriction: No under 18s Dress code: Wild West (Horse couture) Tickets: R335 and R5 booking fee Booking: Quicket – go via Kalk Bay Theatre website at http://www.kalkbaytheatre.co.za or if you get stuck, WhatsApp on 066 205 5063 Good to know: Those who dine at the Brass Bell in its Theatre Restaurant on the Captain’s Deck, get preferential seats |
I love, love, loved WILD at the Kalk Bay Theatre. This is the theatre’s annual festive season cirque cabaret with comedy, song, burlesque and dance. The show kicked off at the end of November 2023 and has been sold out on most nights (runs Thurs-Saturday). After seeing the show I can see why. WILD is a stunner of a show. It is sassy, sophisticated, bawdy, heaps of fun – with knockout athletic cirque, dance (awesome choreography by Ash Searle), superb cast of eight and an intricate set and inspired narrative arc. It is as director Vanessa Harris, quips “shameless and outrageous neo-Western cirque burlesque cabaret”. It is the western genre, shaken and stirred in the Kalk Bay Theatre, at the Brass Bell in the deep South of Kalk Bay.
Vanessa Harris is fabulous as the salacious saloon owner, Fanny Sugarbush. She comes from a long matriarchal line of saloonists. Fanny introduces her husband Darryl (Ashley Searle) and his brother, also Darryl (Brad Searle) and a bevy of cowboys and gals: Jessica Köhler, Nathi Mazwai, Bianca Schulz, Anna Olivier and Jessica Faure. They dazzle in a variety of acts – a Cyr wheel, round-about (not for kiddies) with a pole dinghus, aerial silks (go Darryl). This is cirque of excellence with may, I repeat, breathtaking choreography, underpinned by artistry. There is a swashbuckling dance with cowboy hats, used to conceal and reveal the men’s crown jewels. This act will resonate for fans of the Kalk Bay Theatre in relation to its famous burlesque towel act. I was reminded of the song, made famous by Joe Cocker, You Can Leave Your Hat On (lyrics by Randy Crawford) – take everything off except your hat. It is fabulous, fabulous. There is a bath scene (I won’t spoil – brilliantly executed). Yes, the stage gets wet but they keep their grip on things.
Mention must be made regarding the intricate and impressive set- wooden floors, saloon doors, velvet seats. It is saloon meets bordello somewhere in the wild west, where inhibitions are left outside. This set is what one would expect in a high end theatre production- not a festive season cirque show. Bravo to the effort that has been put into this production – the design (set, lighting and costumes) and the eclectic music play list.
It is remarkable how the Kalk Bay Theatre cabaret festive season shows have developed – from cirque acts strung together in a tent setting to WILD- fully kitted out in a saloon of dreams. Kudos to the creators and producers, Followspot Productions for delivering thrilling adult theatrical entertainment. The KBT is a destination theatre. It is not only about the show but about the excitement before the show (wait and see) and the buzz of the audience. One can take drinks into the theatre.
Audiences are invited to dress up in wild west/horse couture. Suggested dress accessories: tassel chaps, holsters, leather vests, bandanas, hats and spurs, cowboy boots. No worries if you don’t have any gear. There are cowboy hats and other accoutrements, available at Blush Apparel playcouture – in a booth in the Kalk Bay Theatre at the Brass Bell (hats are from R200 http://blushcouture.co.za/).
A recent innovation is the introduction at the KBT is the Theatre Restaurant at the Brass Bell Restaurant. The Bell has conceptualised a special menu for theatre goers on The Captain’s Deck. In addition to the Bell’s signature hake and chips (battered or grilled), there is juicy tuna and other delights on the ala carte menu. It is wonderful because you are on site and can simply walk down the stairs at 8pm-ish to get into the WILD mode. Diners at the Bell get preferential seating and can select their spots, before dining. I recommend the Petticoats for an excellent POV.
WILD is currently booking into March 2024 – with demand high and some houses already sold out. WILD is a smasher of a show- do not miss. Get on ya’ cowboy hats and yee-haw – have a jorl at WILD – the wild west in the South of Cape Town at the Kalk Bay Theate at the Brass Bell. http://www.kalkbaytheatre.co.za
✳ Pics of WILD at the Kalk Bay Theatre at the Brass Bell, by Robyn Cohen/TheCapeRobyn, January 13, 2024.
