A collaborative cabaret: “Crazy Carousel”

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Westville Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools have collaborated to present an evening of classic, French-style cabaret, titled “Crazy Carousel” under the brilliant Direction of Steven Stead, Musical Direction of Roland Perold, with choreography by Simone Mann.

“There is a common misconception about cabaret. Many people immediately associate the word with feather boas, fishnet stockings and high-kicking chorus girls. But cabaret, real cabaret, is far more sophisticated and also far simpler than this,” explains Director, Steven Stead.

Cabaret is an art form born in the bars and nightclubs of post First World War Europe, where artists could present experimental, challenging, sometimes subversive music and poetry, offering social comment, and often full of deep emotional resonance. It was often an incredibly pared down and intimate theatrical experience: a small, smoky room with a spotlight, a singer, a couple of musicians, and material that engaged the audience intellectually and emotionally. Sometimes wickedly funny, sometimes heart-wrenching. Always powerful.

“Jacques Brel, the celebrated 20th century Belgian song-writer and singer, provides the ideal material for an exercise of this kind. His songs are passionate short stories, intimate monologues that communicate with great depth of feeling, ideally suited to the genre of true cabaret,” adds Stead.

Songs include Amsterdam, Mathilde, Brussels, I Loved, Carousel and Marieke.

“Crazy Carousel” will be staged from Thursday, September 23 to Sunday 26 September 2021 at the Roy Couzens Theatre at Westville Boys’ High School. Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s performances start at 7pm; and Sunday’s performance starts at 6pm. Tickets are R120 per person and are available through www.webtickets.co.za

In line with COVID regulations, tickets are limited to 50 people per show, with tables of two or tables of four available. Regrettably no single ticket bookings are available. Patrons are invited to bring their own drinks and glasses (no eats permitted).

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