Fitting tribute to a theatre landmark
WHEN Pieter Toerien, aka Mr South African Theatre, purchased Camps Bay’s dilapidated Phoenix Theatre intending to turn it into a well-run live theatre, many Capetonians wondered at his sanity.
Shaking their heads, they asked, “Who will go to a theatre so far from Cape Town’s city centre?”
“Camps Bay dwellers are beach combers not theatre lovers, he’ll not last a year.”
“We have enough theatres, who needs another one?”
These were but three negatives muttered as Toerien’s plans became known. Maybe even a few jealous people hoped he’d fail realising they’d let a golden business opportunity slip through their fingers. However, certain truths lay behind the gossip.
Thirty years ago, Toerien’s drive and determination were relatively unknown.
And for such a venture to succeed it needed someone with strength, courage and vision to raise that particular Phoenix from rubble to fly the proposed Theatre on the Bay (TotB).
Incredibly, young Toerien had the attributes to overcome all obstacles and flew his 250-seater theatre in 1988. Situated with magnificent views of Table Mountain, Twelve Apostles and the Atlantic Ocean, TotB is now one of our local landmarks.
However, TotB’s welcoming façade, friendly staff and comfortable seating isn’t a drawcard on its own.
What Toerien’s eclectic theatrical taste offers is what brings in audiences.
And over the years the fare he’s offered has ranged between comedy, farce, mystery, musicals, one-man-shows and dance. Maybe not all presentations drew crowds, but the majority have. Not to forget countless young actors, designers, directors whose careers have launched from TotB’s boards. As well as international guest artistes whose presence added lustre to many shows.
Thank you Pieter Toerien. Cape Town’s theatre owes you an enormous debt. To celebrate TotB’s 30th anniversary, Toerien’s engaged English actor Patrick Ryecart to star as Garry Essendine in Noël Coward’s comedy Present Laughter. It takes an Englishman to understand and play an Englishman in a play written by that great English man of the theatre… Noel Coward.
Coward takes his title from a song in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night which urges Carpe Diem meaning “Pluck life” or “Present mirth hath present laughter”. In other words – seize the moment. Coward started writing Present Laughter in 1939, presenting it in 1942 with himself starring as Garry Essendine.
A great success, Present Laughter is Coward writing about himself in Garry Essendine’s guise. Garry is a successful, self-obsessed, light comedy actor suffering a mid-life crisis. As was Coward at that time. Action takes place over a couple of days in Garry’s split level Art Deco studio apartment.
Present Laughter is a right merrygo-round between young twittery Daphne Stillington (Skye Russell) and glamorous Joanna Lyppiatt (Nicole Franco). On different nights both, (in) conveniently, forgot their latch keys, so Garry offers them pyjamas, dressing gown and his spare room. Both profess (unrequited) feelings. Yet hint he’s been with them. Then there is ultra glamorous Liz Essendine (Kate Normington). As Garry’s ex-wife she still considers it her duty to keep an eye on his shenanigans; Joanna’s jealous husband Henry Lyppiatt (John Maytham) makes a great fuss about his wife’s adultery until reminded about his own; Garry’s articulate business manager Morris Dixon (Marcel Meyer) worries over Joanna – his lover; Garry’s efficient secretary Monica Reed (Michelle Maxwell) just tolerates Daphne, Joanna and Liz’s behaviour; Roland Maule’s (Matthew Baldwin) moves like quicksilver in puppy-like adoration for Garry, pleading for his attentions; Garry’s man-of-the-world valet Fred (Dean Roberts) and Jo Da Silva, playing cigarette-puffing, mumbling, inefficient domestic Miss Erikson and posh Lady Saltburn – Daphne’s Aunt – complete Garry’s circle.
Coward’s plays succeeded through his wit, sharp sense of humour, sophistication and musical rhythms as much in dialogue as in his songs.
That rhythm isn’t easy to capture and one must commend the cast for valiant attempts to interpret Coward as Coward intended. Perhaps director Fred Abrahamse allowed them (excepting Ryecart) to try too hard, which brought in elements of exaggeration.
After a little settling down Present Laughter will be a worthy celebration for Theatre on the Bay’s 30th birthday.