Bollywood gets into the mysterious butler mix
t’s The Sopranos meets Bollywood mixed with Cluedo and Whose Line is it Anyway?”, says Justin Wilkinson of his new comedy show Butlers and Bunny Chows.
Cited each year as the No 1 audience participation show at the National Arts Festival since 2008, this hysterical production – which will form part of the comedy line-up at this year’s Grahamstown Fringe – will hit the stage at the Artscape Arena from February 22-25.
The fifth production of its kind, with the first show produced in 2008 called Butlers and Brandy, Wilkinson’s latest concoction is expected to thrill audiences with its mystique and drama.
Featuring Rameez Nordien, Evelyn Brink and Anele Matoti, the interactive comedy show allows the audience to decide throughout the show what happens next.
Based around a murder mystery series, the plot involves a former Bollywood star who is thrust into an undercover operation in the household of a crime boss, where a thrilling chain of events is set in motion and anything can happen.
Wilkinson’s creativity thrives on all things mysterious and eerie.
“I’ve always had a wild imagination and enjoyed suspense movies. I get a thrill from stories that keep you on the edge of your seat and I want that for the audience too.”
“My plays are an ongoing series that, if you haven’t seen any of it, you’ll still enjoy and understand what’s going on.
“The Butler is the main character. We had our first BEE in our last show called Butlers and Blackmail and now we have our first Indian, for a Bollywood feel, so it’s a play on words.” says Wilkinson, who is a UCT graduate.
With audience participation guiding the course of the action taking place on stage, it ensures that every performance follows a different chain of events.
“There are not many improvisation productions in SA, beside Theatre Sports. In this show each night is unique, fresh and exciting.” takes place February 22-25 at 8.15pm. Tickets are R49-R75 at Computicket.