Get a kick out of Coward and Cole

If you are looking for a night out, look no further. Delivered with sophisticated elegance and stylish candour, this highly entertaining show features the dynamic duo Godfrey Johnson and Roland Perold on the keyboard, in song and side-splitting performance.

Noël Coward and Cole Porter were two of the leading and most prolific artists of the 20th century. Contemporaries from across the Atlantic, they were masters of their craft when it came to hitting a nerve with just the right amount of sarcasm and irony, and brought us favourite songs such as Let's Do It, Mad Dogs And Englishmen and Mrs Worthington. Featuring the talented fingers and voices of dynamic musical duo Johnson and Perold, this new collection of Noël Coward and Cole Porter's timeless masterpieces delight with witticisms, social commentary and innate absurdity.

The best of everything

Coward and Cole is one of those inspired creations that offers the best of everything: it bashfully celebrates the snappy lyrics and sassy tunes of Briton Noel Coward and American Cole Porter, who were contemporaries during the roaring 20s and, although they were separated by a vast ocean and social and cultural differences, they were united by their unique sense of satire that transcends time and place.

From its lively opening, Porter's memorable Another Opening, to its rousing finale (let's keep this as a surprise as it guarantees to blow you out of your seat), the show will have you either rediscovering the genius of Coward and Cole and the performers, or discover an evening of music and live theatre that will change you into a fervent theatre buff.

Intelligent and heartfelt production

If this seems overly dramatic, nothing can compare to the delivery and compilation of this intelligent and heartfelt production - Simon Cooper, who gave us London Road, and Rolska Productions deserves a round of applause for staging a new work that guarantees to become the talk of the town.

What separates Coward and Cole from other shows featuring keyboard-and-piano duos, is that it does try to be clever or boastful, but is performed with such an honest sincerity that allows the music to reveal its own uniqueness with little effort.

Besides their electrifying energy and dazzling synergy, Johnson and Perold also perform some memorable solo numbers: Perold is charming and incredibly funny with his mind-blowing renditions of Coward's Uncle Harry and Mrs Worthington, with Johnson absolutely delicious with his heartbreaking rendition of songs like Porter's In The Still Of The Night.

There's also the sensational Coward and Porter combos that are pure bliss! The thoughtful and stirring Mad About The Boy (Coward) and Everytime We Say Goodbye (Porter), will leave a lump in your throat, just as the fun Marvellous Party and Well Did You Evah will have you screeching with laughter.

Hellishly fast-paced lyrics

The music of Coward and Porter has universal appeal, resonance and contemporary relevance that aptly reflects issues that explore the world that we live in with insight and meaning.

Johnson and Perold have the unique ability to make their skilful interpretation and performance seem effortless; the hellishly fast-paced lyrics of both composers are layered with an intense complexity and the performers manage brilliantly to convey the gentle sensitivity and biting edge with confidence and comfort.

It's refreshing to experience great music done well and passionately.

Whether you know the music of Cole and Porter or are a newcomer, you will leave craving more and get a kick out of it.

Dinner before the show

Make sure to see Coward and Cole, and enjoy a superb dinner before the show at the Kalk Bay Theatre's homely restaurant, where the friendly service and great menu are perfect starters to the sensational show.

Interview with the performers

Johnson has performed more than 20 one-man shows nationally and internationally. He has worked extensively as a musician, director, composer and accompanied Pieter-Dirk Uys in his various cabarets. In 2007, Johnson won the Fleur du Cap Award for Best Performance in a Cabaret for his work in Kissed by Brel. The debonair Roland Perold is an accomplished actor, choral conductor, musical director and producer. He holds a BMus(Hons) Degree in Classical Piano and Voice from the University of KZN and trained in musical theatre at the Waterfront Theatre School. Read an interview with the dynamic duo: http://www.writingstudio.co.za/page1036.html

Coward & Cole will be performed Wednesday to Saturdays until 24 March at 8.30pm, with a matinee performance on Sunday, 18 March at 2.30pm. Tickets cost R95. Seating is unreserved and doors open at 6.30pm. For all bookings and further information, go to www.kbt.co.za

Rating 5/5

Images by Rob Kirsner