'Mince – The Return' to razzle it at Radisson Blu
Arts Correspondent
SOUTH Africa's foremost drag duo, vivacious vixens Lilly Slaptsilli and Keiron Legacy, of Cape Town, will be "Razzlin" at the Radisson in Port Elizabeth at the end of the month. An evening of glitz, glamour and top-notch entertainment with a difference awaits audiences as Minceology – The Return that is set to sizzle at the Radisson Blu on February 28 and March 1.
Fresh from their latest season at the V&A Waterfront stage, one of Cape Town's most popular, sophisticated and tongue-in-cheek entertainment institutions promises to beguile Bay audiences with "laughter and lipstick, trilogy and tiaras, parody and pantyhose out of the top drawer".
Performing together since 1994, Slaptsilli (Clive Allardyce) and Legacy (Martin van Staden) are the longest-running drag duo in South Africa.
Minceology – The Return marks 15 years since Centrestage sashayed the controversial duo in to ruffle social feathers at the Port Elizabeth Men's Club in Bird Street, where the entertainment company had opened their first cabaret venue.
"I remember having been bowled over by their outlandish creativity and the impressive theatricality of their staging and I thought, I've got to bring them to PE," Centrestage's Gary Hemmings, who is also bringing the new show to town, said.
He said it was initially "a bit of a risk" to see if people would be open-minded enough to enjoy the show, but it proved such a success that Centrestage brought them to the city a dozen times over the next few years.
And the two are happy to be back: "PE has always been the most responsive audience," Allardyce said.
"They know how to have a good time and are always open-minded to the material we're doing."
Van Staden added: "There is much truth in the saying that PE is the friendly city. I recall having a secret admirer in PE who sent me flowers and unsigned notes backstage and to the hotel. Sadly he never revealed himself."
The "Razzlin' at the Radisson" concept which was used to launch Gino Fabbri and Donna Africa's show, Whole Lotta Laughs, in August last year turned out so well that the venue seemed ideal for the Mince show, Hemmings said.
"Audiences may expect to see sharp stilettos and spot-on celebrity impersonations as a host of sassy ladies are brought seductively back to life, the great divas honoured, and more than 24 frock, wig and shoe changes, all done in remarkable style with slick performances in cleverly conceived routines.
"Older, wiser and sexier than ever", the girls will deliver a selection greatest hits from past shows such as Mince and the City, So You Think You Can Mince, and The Daminci Code.
They will honour icons like Carol Burnette, Eartha Kitt and Nina Hagen, and also mouth the words to famous pop songs – including Peggy Lee's Fever and Aretha Franklin's A Deeper Love – perfectly.
Razzlin' at the Radisson offers a chairs- around-tables cabaret environment with a special menu and bar facilities.
Bookings for the two-night run are essential. Tickets are R140 at Computicket and for block bookings of eight or more at R120, and block bookings of 12 or more at R110, contact Wendy on 082-661-6921. Doors open at 6.30 and the shows start at 7.30pm.
