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Stage: Dream On: A Poppins Tale of Joseph – Playhouse Opera theatre
(Day-time performances only from July 6 to 14)
REVIEW BY BILLY SUTER

A NEW, mixed-bag musical featuring hits by The Beatles, Bangles and Elvis Presley as well as numbers from Les Miserables, Mary Poppins and Prince of Egypt – all sandwiched between a large dollop of plot and songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat?

Yes, it most certainly sounds a little crazy. However, under the spirited and playful direction of ubiquitous Daisy Spencer, and with excellent vocal direction by Des and Anthony Govender, this unpredictable 22nd production from Durban’s Young Performers’ Project works like a charm.

Dream On: A Poppins Tale of Joseph is a slick youth musical of a very high standard, featuring a number of standout performances, and left a smile plastered on my face throughout the full-dress rehearsal I attended yesterday ahead of Saturday’s official 2.30pm opening.

Featuring some 170 youngsters from throughout KwaZulu-Natal, ranging in age from five to 19, the musical has been written by Des Govender with input from theatre friends. Des has led the YPP team since 2017 and hearty back slaps are in order for having achieved a particularly high standard in the vocal department this year.

The show’s plot involves a show director (a sassy Sisipho Ndlovu) battling to find a new production to stage at the Playhouse. Enter cleaner Brenton from the Bluff, who has a penchant for showtunes himself and suggests the director summon Mary Poppins, who always has a solution for everything.

Poppins then flies in on a puff of cloud and everyone tosses ideas and inspiration for a new show into her large carpet bag. The bag contents include a book on bugs and beetles, bangles, blue suede shoes and various show scripts – resulting in Poppins magically revealing a mixed-bag musical offering the perfect story for the director.

Basically it’s a tweaked variation of last year’s great YPP success, Joseph, with many surprise flourishes and some Joseph songs missing to accommodate the new tunes. And, as with last year’s show, two sets of 55-member children’s choirs flank the stage and are alternating at performances.

Professional actress Georgina Kelly, who was the Narrator in Joseph last year, plays Mary Poppins, who presents a new Joseph story containing quirky sidesteps that include a rendition of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and also an original song, Dream On. Kelly is the show’s standout – practically perfect in every way: suitably prim and proper, with great diction, strong vocals and, of course, with heels often touching.

The show’s other professional actor is Rory Booth, who makes for a very animated janitor as Brenton but, rather curiously, becomes slightly lethargic when he later slips into Elvis gear. Interestingly, both Georgie and Rory were YPP cast members when in their teens.

Kyran Taylor, a first-year pupil at Durban’s new International School of Performing Arts, who matriculated from Reddam House Umhlanga last year, is reprising his role of Joseph in Dream On: A Poppins Tale of Joseph. He has a strong, sweet voice and is a big crowd-pleaser once again.

“Everybody loved Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat so much last year that we wanted to include some of our favourite Joseph numbers such as Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door and Joseph’s Coat – but add some other great songs and dances too; especially for the girls,” explains Des.

Dream On: A Poppins Tale of Joseph is a great deal of fun with some fine costumes (take a bow Kathryn Singery) and lots of youngsters showing excellent potential.

Special mention must also be made of the truly delightful choreography by Simone Mann that is well executed (notably in the fine Deliver Us and Look Down numbers) and adds extra sparkle to a show that underscores the importance of family, forgiveness, love, respect… and dreaming big.

Featuring visual effects and sound designed by Anthony Govender, set design by Chris Taylor and lighting by Dylan Heath, the show’s cast represents almost 50 schools across all locations, demographics and languages. They represent private, government, independent, rural, online and township schools – and include home-schooled individuals from Warner Beach to Umhlali, and everywhere in-between.   

Durban is very, very lucky to have the YPP as this initiative not only teaches theatre skills and life lessons, but also leads to many long-lasting friendships among those participating.

Director Daisy Spencer elaborates further in the programme: “Being part of a production such as this teaches youngsters so many things and offers options to grow as artists and also as people. Good work ethics, team work, understanding other points of view, communication skills, confidence and social skills are among the benefits”.

Dream On: A Poppins Tale of Joseph runs for 90 minutes with an interval. It is suitable for ages four and above. Tickets (available via Webtickets) range in price from R150 to R225 (R150 for pensioners). Parking is available at the nearby Royal Hotel.

The show is a perfect treat for the whole family and YPP is a precious project that so richly deserves support. Spread the word and book, book, book!