South Africa's Most Successful Musical Revue, A HANDFUL OF KEYS, Returns to Theatre On The Bay

Launched in 1994 as a co-creation between Ian Von Memerty and Bryan Schimmel, A HANDFUL OF KEYS has played to more than 420 000 people in over 1450 performances over the last 23 years. Now, thanks for countless requests from the public, South Africa's most successful musical revue ever returns for a six-week season at Theatre on the Bay.

Multiple awards, love letters from the critics and adulation from audiences have poured in for this brilliant, hilarious and virtuoso celebration of the piano. A HANDFUL OF KEYS unravels as a constant surprise with devastating wit and musical mastery; from piano pyrotechnics to inspiring inventiveness, this show promises to be a two-hour fireworks display of excitement, energy and sheer, mind-blowing entertainment.

The virtuoso talents in this 2017 edition of the show are Roelof Colyn, a stalwart of A HANDFUL OF KEYS since 2001 who is beloved by audiences for his effortless charm, dead pan wit and the liquid magic of his playing, and nineteen-year-old James Smith, the youngest person to appear in the revue. Von Memerty, who is in the director's chair this time around, sings the young talent's praises:

It is a risk putting such a young person into a show as complicated and subtle as into the show, but I believe that James, with his unique mix of musicality, quirky humour and the beautiful timbre of his expressive voice, is up to the challenge.

Audiences can still expect highlights such as "The Complete History of The Broadway Musical in 12 Minutes", tributes to Liberace, Elton John and Stevie Wonder, "Funeral For A Friend" and the "SA Medley" - and, of course, the opportunities to invent new material are tantalising. This year, Von Memerty, who has expanded and developed the show since 1997, has updated A HANDFUL OF KEYS with a new and dazzling addition. This time around there will be an extra "handful" on stage, with a local piano prodigy being featured in the show, Von Memerty having auditioned the best, the newest and the wackiest piano talents around.

A HANDFUL OF KEYS runs at Theatre On The Bay from 30 August - 8 October 2017. To reserve your tickets for this endlessly evergreen explosion of entertainment, book online through Computicket, by phone on 0861 915 8000 or in person at any Shoprite Checkers outlet nationwide.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Revival of a Musical - Top 3

1. Ragtime

39.6% of votes

2. CATS: The Jellicle Ball

22% of votes

3. Chess

21.9% of votes

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