Matters of the heart and Sole

IT IS fun and cheesy, but there are also memorable moments of sincere and heartwarming empathy… that is how singer-actress Jessica Sole describes I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, a new comedy from Durban’s prolific KickstArt theatre company, in which Sole is the youngest among a four-member cast.

The show, by Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts, and further described as charming and intelligent, runs from next Wednesday until February 27 at Durban’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, where previous KickstArt productions have included last year’s Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, Little Shop of Horrors, The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella.

Besides Sole, the production also stars Lisa Bobbert, Steven Stead and Roland Perold, under the direction of Greg King, supported by Janna Ramos-Violante, who also choreographs. Musical direction is by Justin Southey, set design is by King and costume design by Clint Singh and Marklyn Govender. Live music will be provided for the production by pianist Justin Southey on piano and violinist Jane Baillie.

Sole, last seen on stage as a cast member of The Buccaneers of the Upper Deck, a riotous, pirate-themed supper show which enjoyed an extended season at uShaka Marine World last year, is delighted to be involved with I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, which marks her first appearance for the award-winning KickstArt company.

“Rehearsals are going so well!” she enthuses. “Of course I am very nervous – I am the baby of the company and the least experienced – but we are a small cast and everyone is working well together… and they are all wonderful.”

Days are days long and hard, she says, “but it is really rewarding”.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is recognised as Off Broadway theatre’s longest-running musical. Celebrating the modern-day suburban mating game, it is presented in the form of a series of vignettes connected by the central theme of love and relationships.

“The production is very clever. It examines something of every aspect in relationships between men and women. Audiences are bound to find characters who remind them of someone they know.”

Sole is a third-year BA music and drama student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. She is comfortable in musical theatre, and performing music in various guises. She plays the violin and piano and performs often with good mate Sophie Basckin.

Until recently they played in an a cappella swing trio – the popular Dr Fly and the Nurses – with Amy Saville.

Saville has relocated to Cape Town, so Basckin and Sole have regrouped as a folk band.

They are building material and intend to perform with various special guests, playing interesting instruments.

Regulars of the annual Rainbow Young Performers’ shows staged at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre will remember Basckin and Sole as having performed in the musicals Fiddler on the Roof, The Wiz and Annie.

Sole loves musical theatre and lists among her other career highlights performing in last year’s critically acclaimed The Man of La Mancha which played in Durban and at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

She is also very happy about having landed a role in KickstArt’s planned production of Cabaret later this year.

Is she tempted to leave Durbs for the bright lights of Joburg?

“My intention is to stay in Durban. At least for the foreseeable future. Of course, I would love to live and work in other places to experience that, but I plan to stay here for a while.

“And in a perfect world I would be doing pretty much exactly what I am doing now – performing!”

Tickets for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change cost R100 and R120, and can be booked at Computicket outlets.

Performances will be at 7.30pm every Wednesday to Saturday and at 6pm on Sundays, with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturdays.

A special additional performance is lined up for 7.30pm on Monday, February 14, a Valentine’s Day performance, when the cost of R150 will include a glass of sparkling wine.

For information about block bookings and package deals contact Ailsa Windsor at 083 250 2690 or at ailswn@mweb.co.za