Arts writer
ONE of Cape Town’s grand old dames of cinema and entertainment, the iconic Luxurama Theatre, will be in back in the spotlight. Alistair Izobell and the Baxter Theatre Centre will pay tribute to the venue with a new show from December 3 to January 9.
Written and directed by Izobell and Baxter CEO and artistic director Lara Foot, Remembering the Lux is set to be the highlight of the festive season. They have teamed up to bring to life and celebrate its history through stories and classic hit songs in this first-ever homage to the legendary Luxurama.
Izobell has assembled a stellar ensemble featuring himself, Terry Fortune, Terry Hector, Loukmaan Adams, Niesha Abrahams, Leslie Kleinsmith, Giempie Vardien, Nur Abrahams and Felicity Keran, accompanied by a five-piece band.
Most of the performers have, at some point in their own careers, performed at The Lux (as it was and still is referred to today). The cast will share anecdotes as they sing familiar popular songs, such as Where the Boys Are, Il Mondo, Spanish Eyes, Stay Beside Me, Puppy Love, My Life and Delilah– all guaranteed to get audiences singing along and dancing in their seats. Many top international artists, such as Connie Francis, Dusty Springfield, Engelbert Humperdink, Tom Jones, Percy Sledge, Peaches and Herb, Petula Clark, Jose Feliciano, Dobie Gray and Lovelace Watkins performed at the venue. Local stars like Taliep Petersen, Zayn Adam, Jonathan Butler, Richard Jon Smith, Ricardo, Ronnie Joyce and Lionel Petersen are also a few of the local music sensations who appeared on the boards. Well-known bands such as The Rockets, The Bats and Rabbit and Ballyhoo were among the groups who battled it out.
“I am personally so excited to be honouring The Luxurama Theatre, home to so many of this city’s audiences during it’s heyday”, says Izobell.
“Almost the entire cast in this production has performed on that stage and for all of us, to bring back those memories for so many people, I regard as a blessing. Teaming up with Lara, who had tremendous success with her production of Scrooge a few years ago, is another highlight of my career so far.”
“We would like to invite local audiences to join us in this festive season celebration as we pay tribute to the Lux and share their memories and stories with us on the Facebook page,” he added.
l Book: 0861 915 8000, www.com puticket.co.za, or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.