AUNTY MERLE - THE MUSICAL at Baxter Theatre Centre

Cape Town's beloved comedian Marc Lottering's darling character Aunty Merle goes mainstream in the world premiere of Marc Lottering's musical-comedy AUNTY MERLE - THE MUSICAL. High drama unfolds as Merle's daughter Abigail (Tarryn Lamb) announces her engagement to Alan (Stephen Jubber) and, as Merle (Marc Lottering) puts it "he's a good-looking white chap!" It is never smooth sailing in the world of musicals, and Abigail's twisted and corrupt ex, Denver Paulse (Loukmaan Adams), who holds a dodgy top job with the SABC, is determined to get her back, failing which, he threatens to reveal a very dark secret which is bound to tear the lovers apart. There's also Merle's son Carl (Roberto Kyle), who spends lots of time with his varsity friend Siya (Sizwesandile Mnisi). The boys are obsessed with Beyonce and Merle's neighbour Soraya Samsodien (Carmen Maarman) definitely has an opinion on this state of affairs. Last but certainly not least, Lydia Majola (Tankiso Mamabolo) from Khayelitsha, who has been on a twenty-year journey with Merle as her helper, finds that her housekeeping takes a back seat when she finds out that her husband is a "blesser" and her feisty daughter Nambitha (Zandile Madliwa), fresh from Oxford University, has a venomous political apple to peel with Abigail. Aunty Merle has her work cut out for her, keeping everyone happy while trying hard to pull off what surely has to be the wedding of the year. The role of Merle's long-suffering husband Dennis is played by veteran actor Royston Stoffels while Alan's parents, Claire and David White are played by two other veterans of musicals and the stage, Kate Normington and Adrian Galley. Anray Amansure plays Liezel and Daniel Richards plays Jakes, two of Abigail and Alan's best friends. AUNTY MERLE - THE MUSICAL is written by Marc Lottering and directed by Lara Foot, with musical direction by Alistair Izobell and choreography by Grant van der Ster.