When life’s a drag….
Escape into ‘A Night at the Musicals’ with Le Gateau Chocolat and Jonny Woo
BRITISH drag artists Le Gateau Chocolat and Jonny Woo will soon be in town, featuring in one of the most absurdly camp (and totally entertaining) homages to the modern musical, called simply A Night at the Musicals. It’s on at Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay from next week.
With his deep operatic timbre and heavy build, sporting an unlikely beard, Nigerian-born Le Gateau Chocolat teams up with his opposite, Jonny Woo, to present a continuum of seriously hilarious moments on stage, where the pair offer a completely different tribute to some of the world’s best-loved musicals.
Speaking from London, Gateau says: “Jonny and I luxuriate in our partnership. The timbre of my voice is more operatic – and I’m more of a bass singer. It’s really a kind of a wonderful juxtaposition.”
The drag artist says the show has a universal appeal, having been performed in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. “It’s never not resonated with audiences, that’s what makes it so joyous. Leaders are so hell-bent on being demagogues and within this show, none of this matters – it’s an act that makes all of us laugh, regardless of our histories and differences,” says Le Gateau.
“It seems a lofty ideal, but I feel that in what Jonny and are doing, in the 70 minutes you spend with us, you can forget and enjoy.”
Gateau, who appears larger than life, squeezes himself into a tightfitting sequinned gown, and starts by offering a dramatic rendition of the title song from The Phantom of the Opera, showing off a superbly masculine, pitch-perfect voice.
Vocal performances are linked with an array of comedic gimmicks.
Woo says: “We share the comedic singing, but I guess I bring more physicality to the performance. All the songs have been turned into these comedic interpretations and yes, some of the words get messed around.
“We also do comedic lip synch. There are all the favourites from Annie, The Lion King, Les Misérables, Grease, some of the songs from Cabaret. While Gateau is more operatic, I’m more like, poppy.”
Woo says the two started working on the show more than 15 years ago, but it’s been a reality for the past five years.
It’s their first time in South Africa and they are looking forward to putting on their act in the multifaceted Mother City. Woo says: “This show can just go on and on – it’s timeless.” But he reveals that a sequel is on the cards…
Meanwhile, the show goes on. As Woo says: “It doesn’t matter where, it appeals to all. Okay, maybe in the UK, audiences will laugh at different things. There are subtle differences, different reference points.”
Adds Gateau: “With all the challenges to life and society going on, Jonny and I remind people of our commonality. For the duration of the show they can just forget. As drag artists, we’re allowed to be society’s mirrors and to entertain.”
A Night At The Musicals is on at Theatre On The Bay from September17 to October 5. Tickets available from Computicket or by dialling the Theatre On The Bay box office on 0214383301.