Decadent cabaret show at Seabrooke’s
'Decadence', a brand new show by theatre newcomers, takes audiences back to the burlesque 1940s in the music revue at Seabrooke's Theatre this month.
'DECADENCE: Sinfully Good' is a music revue taking audiences back to the Burlesque era of the roaring 1940s, and runs at Seabrooke’s Theatre from 19 to 25 February.
The story is written by Mikhale Singh, directed by Preven Reddy and choreographed by Veronique Ellis of Blunt Productions. It follows the journey of Anastasia, a beautiful young dancer who has always enjoyed playing the line between being a model performer on the straight and narrow and giving into her occasional darker desires.
Anastasia attracts the attention of two legends in the dance industry: Cecilia, who is prim, proper, respectable and believes in all that is deemed morally appropriate; and Jocasta, the polar opposite. Jocasta believes in seduction and manipulation to get her way. Anastasia then becomes the subject of their wager, to see which school of thought is superior, especially within the dance world.
At this point, a mysterious potential love-interest and a master of ceremonies with a hidden agenda enter the fray, which further complicates Anastasia's life.
“The show was designed to be an entertaining look at the Burlesque era and how it fits into and has influenced modern music and dance,” said playwright, Mikhale Singh. “The end result is a show that is inherently 1940s, but has a few more modern numbers (keeping the Burlesque theme) in it, to be more approachable for the audience,” he continued.
Singh said surreptitiously slipped into the play were issues that Anastasia faces in the 1940s, which are the very same issues facing many young people today. “These include themes of choosing your own path, peer pressure – both positive and negative – and, of course, the Gatsbyish obsession with unrepentant hedonism versus knuckling down and working,” he added.
'Decadence' features Sarah Thompson, Shannon Newton (former Rainbow Young Performers), Nqobile Mahlambi, ex-Idols contestant, Nidaal Hassim, and introduces Jason Jefferys and Kyle Trytsman, with an ensemble that includes Shannyn Zorab, Andile Dube, Jessica-Paige Smith, Naomie Sishi, Rio Notra, Tarryn Trollip, Toks Mahlambi and Veronique Ellis.
The creative team compromises Brett van Dort (set design), Sana Siddiqi (costume design, producing), Amy Hawthorn (vocal coach), Julian Evans (sound and lighting) and Mikhale Singh (producer).
The show runs at Seabrooke's Theatre during the week at 7pm, with 2pm and 7pm shows on Saturday and a 2pm show on Sunday. Tickets cost R100 and are available online and in selected stores from Webtickets.
