SWINGING HUMOUR

her very much someone to relate to.

The musical premiered on Broadway in 1964. Barbra Streisand reprised the role she made famous on Broadway, in the film of the same name.

Interestingly, up to a few years ago, there had not been professional revivals of the musical on stage.

Reviews of the various revival productions abroad have generally been glowing, with reviewers remarking on the feel-good vibe; the delicious character of Fanny Brice, the stirring songs, the glamour and glitz evoked through recreating the 1920s glamour of Hollywood.

For its production of Funny Girl, the Fugard has made an inspired choice in the casting of Harvey.

I watched a rehearsal and was mesmerised by Harvey and Berning.

The chemistry is there and they are in fine musical form. The script is hilarious.

Funny Girl hinges on the character of Fanny Brice and Harvey clearly has the voice and comedic smarts to bring her to life.

An accomplished actress (she was nominated for a Naledi award for Death of a Colonialist – staged in Cape Town in 2014), Harvey has paid her dues in the musical theatre industry (The Rocky Horror Show, Shrek, Mulan), but Funny Girl is the first time she is taking on the leading role.

It was a role that she always dreamed of playing.

She identifies with the fact that Fanny was very much her own woman – refusing to bow to societal expectations. Harvey muses, “This musical is full of pathos and intimacy and big emotion. I love the fact that Fanny was different and that she wasn’t afraid of her quirkiness. The world is too obsessed with physical perfection and beauty. Some of the most beautiful people in the world just don’t fit the usual beauty mould: Streisand, Meryl Streep, Bette Midler, and Serena Williams. They’re gorgeous and powerful and interesting.”

Radomsky’s detailed set portrays the backstage of a late Victorian theatre, framing and contextualising the story. Le Roux’s glam costumes (150 costumes and a hectic number of costume changes) are exquisitely rendered in satins, velvets, pearls etc. and conjure up the glitz and opulence of 1930s Hollywood, Ziegfeld Follies and the Gibson Girls.

The outstanding cast includes numerous Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winners and nominees such as Kate Normington (Mrs Brice), Diane Wilson (Mrs Strakosh), Michele Maxwell (Mrs Meeker), Mike Huff (Florenz Ziegfeld), Cameron Botha (Eddie Ryan), Grant Towers (Tom Keeney) and Lucy Tops (Emma).

Funny Girl is from Tuesdays to Fridays at 8pm and on Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm. Tickets are R130-R350. Book at www.computicket.com/0861 9158000 or call the Fugard on 021 461 4554