Western show a big hit at Damant
ROB KNOWLES
| MONKEYING AROUND: Deborah Lauther and her puppet, Atti Tude, entertained residents at Damant Lodge last Wednesday as part of the western show laid on by her father, Tiny Steenkamp and his entourage Picture: SUPPLIED |
IN this his tenth year of presenting a special Christmas musical afternoon for the residents of Damant Lodge, local musical impresario Tiny Steenkamp decided to abandon the traditional Christmas theme in favour of a western one.
Steenkamp, who reaches his 80th birthday milestone this week, brought with him his usual entourage of his wife Doreen on keyboard, Lorna Els on piano and newcomer to the group, Margie Hammond also on keyboard as well as vocals.
Beginning with Gene Autry's Be honest with me, Steenkamp encouraged the older members of the audience to sing-along with him. Following numbers such as Oh what a beautiful morning from the musical Oklahoma, Bridal hanging on the wall and Home on the range, he took a break to allow Hammond to continue with the entertainment.
Later, Steenkamp's daughter, Deborah Lauther with her ventriloquist's doll, Atti – a cheeky ape whose full name is Atti Tude – had the audience rolling in their seats.
The afternoon finished with a Christmas carol or two which encouraged full participation from the more than 50-strong audience who said they thoroughly enjoyed the show and were pleased with the change of format.
