Creative trio to spoof ‘50 Shades’ in cabaret
ALTHOUGH the new novel gives the male view in a trio of women will dominate the stage when they present a new cabaret,
tonight in Port Elizabeth. Devised and performed by Faye Gatley, Marelize Barnard and Niqui Cloete-Barrass, the cabaret will be spoofing the controversial erotic film released earlier this year, and the trilogy of novels on which it was based.
“If we’d produced the movie, things would have been a little different,” say the trio. “She might have been the one holding the whip, for example!”
Barnard said the Boost Creative Solution singers had devised the original cabaret, when the books were first a hit in 2013.
“The first show was when the book was at its peak and when the movie came out this year we decided to do this one.”
Although it has been slated as badly written “mummy porn” encouraging abusive relationships, the three titles by British author E L James have sold more than 125 million copies in 52 languages and new released already has seen blockbuster sales.
And, in an ironic twist, seeing as the original books feature domination and bondage, partial proceeds for this week’s cabaret will be going to Yokhuselo Haven, a Port Elizabeth refuge for abused women and their children.
Although it includes relationship-relevant songs such as and
also will provide parodies and comedy highlighting the balance of power between the sexes. There is also a sneak cameo appearance by Colin Lyal.
“No men were harmed in the making of this show,” promises Barnard, however, “Unless they specifically asked for it!”
The show runs at Manas on Montmedy Road in Lorraine at 7pm tonight, Friday and Saturday, and tickets cost R100 each. Patrons are welcome to bring snacks and take advantage of the bar – cash only, no card facilities.
ý Tickets from Lindsay Cloete 083-455 8007 or e-mail
at LAST week, I was bitter about an incident involving a mechanic and a car.
My sage pre-teen child looked up from her homework and said : “It’s not really about the car. You’re having a bad day and he’s your excuse.
“I know you feel ugly today, because I heard you say so to the mirror.”
If children don’t snap you out of your self-imposed prison of self-pity and egoism, nobody can.
Children are immeasurably special because they tell the truth. And love, laughter and learning are intrinsic to their natures. Guile, greed and vanity are adult diseases – no wonder kids are so confused by grownups.
Have you ever noticed how quickly children forgive and forget?
Adults, on the other hand, are experts at bearing grudges, holding on to hurts and not fully engaging in, say, the Sunday crossword, because we’re fretting about the working week ahead.
I’ve learnt a few home truths from the kids in my life.
The first is that honesty is the best policy. Children, like adults, can and do lie sometimes. But truth be told, when they do engage in a bald-faced fib, it’s like a neon sign lights up their foreheads, shouting, “Don’t believe a word! Watch my nose grow!”
They’re also blatantly brilliant at imagination, that elusive quality that prompts us to pay thousands to self-help gurus and their publishing houses in the hopes of recovering “the art of visualisation” or “finding our inner Picasso”.
Thing is, imagination actually releases feel-good hormones – endorphins – into the body. So it’s like chocolate really – absolutely essential for survival in the long run.
Before we crammed them with extra-murals and promises of ice-cream in exchange for A symbols, did we ever see our very young offspring get into a flap because they had a million things to do and no time to do it in? No.
I’ve also never met a child who didn’t think he could be a superhero. Sadly, we seem to outgrow that sizzling self-confidence.
But it’s never too late, really, to rekindle that relationship with your inner child. If you’re not sure how to begin, ask someone under the age of six.