Cape minstrels march back to stage
Showing creative street stars as they are in real life
BACK by popular demand, Alistair Izobell and Riyaad Peters’s heritage musical production, Satin to Sequins – More than a Minstrel, will be back at the Baxter Theatre next month with new songs and a new narrative.
The production will be accompanied by a live band.
The original show was launched in 2014 at the Joseph Stone in Athlone.
Producers Oddball Productions wanted to demystify minstrel culture and give audiences insight into the creativity of contemporary troupes, and the vibrant living heritage that plays out in the streets of Cape Town.
In the new edition Satin To Sequins – More Than A Minstrel, there is an overlap of art and life.
Oddball’s Ayesha Abrahams said that in the first version the story was about a boy living with his single mother, who wanted to change the way the minstrel troupes operate.
“The story continues in More Than a Minstrel.
“We see Mr Biggs’s son (played by Loukmaan Adams) and what life is like as he carries on this legacy of his father and his troupe, the Woodstock Darlings. We also see how ‘normal’ minstrels are as opposed to the negative stereotype usually associated with the minstrel culture,” Abrahams said
We see how ‘normal’ minstrels are as opposed to the negative stereotype associated with the culture
New Year festivities were only one part of Cape minstrel culture, as troupes rehearse throughout the year.
“Most troupe members have day jobs. Others work in the arts industry. There is no remuneration – only ‘bragging rights’. The uniting factor is the love of donning the fabulous costumes – satins and sequins, bling – (and) literally climbing into another persona and becoming a minstrel, and bringing joy to crowds.
“Minstrels may be traced back in many directions. One line is when slaves dressed up during New Year festivities, mocking their masters and affirming themselves as individuals. In 2018 and beyond, an energetic young generation is taking forward this inimitable form of street theatre/ culture.”
The cast includes Carmen Maarman, Austin Rose, Tashreeq de Villiers, Shadley Schroeder, Ashtevahnn Mintoor and Junaid Isaacs.
The production runs from November 6 to 24, with shows every night at 8pm.
There are no shows on Sundays and Mondays, with 4pm matinees on Saturdays.
Tickets are R135 – R150 and booking is through Webtickets, online at www.webtickets.co.za, or at selected Pick n Pay stores. For discounted group block bookings and fund-raisers, contact Faghri on 064 684 8992.