so last nite the beautiful val and myself went off to support theatresports stalwart megan furniss’ new directed play ‘Good Will Acting’ at the Kalk Bay theatre, strangely enuff in Kalk Bay and had a really fun and delightingful time. you should go! no really, do it!

the two part play revolves around the concept of four out of work actors (the corporate they were booked for was cancelled) during the december holidays who eventually decide to collaborate together and put on a nativity play (altho as Ras the Rasta points out, they will be doing an Activity play cos na-tivity is too negative)

Larissa Hughes plays Marlene who is the group therapist slash directress and tries to pull the whole thing together; Anele Situlweni as Ras the Rasta does a lot of ‘I and I’ philosophising while wielding the english language to his will with great tweaks such as ‘I overstand’ and comments like ‘The universe shall reimburse’…

Ntomoxolo Makhutshi is an exhuberant political-energy-driven Libertina X who is constantly in the face of the other actors and Daneel van der Walt is phenomenal as Tabitha who is a little bit out there and crazy while trying to constantly fit in with the rastaness and black empowerment spirit of the other two.

each of the four actorpeoples were brilliant in terms of their character portrayal (altho for both me and tbv i think Daneel to some extent stole the show – maybe we just relate a little bit too close to ‘the crazy’) and the collaboration between the four very different characters created a satisfying and diverse mix

bouncing between monologues and group interaction the first half of the show sets the scene for the playing of the musical play in the second half which is an absolute delight and there is a group disappointment when it draws to an end, as we could have definitely watched another 15 to 30 minutes of that finely crafted result of their endeavours

they bring a very fresh energy to the telling of the nativity story (from the perspective of four out of work actors) combining song, movement, glaringly over-the-top product placements, finger puppets and a set of costumes and props left over from another show they were working on… the standing up bed scene with the innkeepers, that starts it off, a complete highlight.

basically, if you are in cape town, and looking for a good nite of just pure fun and entertainment, you need to go along and watch this play [as a side note if you can take nicholas spagnoletti’s mom with, the enjoyment she received from the show was a complete highlight and ambience creator as well, so see if she is available]

Directed, workshopped, written, edited (and lighted on the nite) by Megan Furniss of TheatreSports fame, Good Will Acting is devised in collaboration with cast members Anele, Daneel,Larissa and Ntomoxolo and it looks like they had a whole lot of fun bringing it all together.

Good Will Acting will be performed Wednesday to Saturday until 18 December and from 20 – 23 and 27 – 31 December, when there will be a special New Year’s Eve performance.

Performances start at 20h30 and tickets for show only cost R100. Tickets for the preview cost R50. Family specials of four or more are R80 per person. Doors open at 6pm and theatre-goers can enjoy a light meal before the show. To book and for further information, contact 073 220 5430 or visit www.kbt.co.za

[if you befriend megan furniss on facebook then there is the offer of two tickets for the price of one and at 50 bucks each – for the poorer thespian appreciators like myself – it really is moe than worth checking out]