A colourful Greek family, a crumbling island villa and a soundtrack packed with iconic 1980s hits will take centre stage at The Playhouse Theatre in Somerset West this September with the arrival of The Party! – A Big Fat Greek Experience.
Created by The Playhouse Theatre, the new musical theatre production brings together nearly 40 local performers for a high-energy show featuring comedy, live vocals and large-scale dance numbers.
At the heart of the story is Tassia, a music-loving young woman who dreams of leaving her island home to study at the Athens School of Music. Living with her extended Greek family in her grandmother’s increasingly rundown villa, Tassia and her cousin Eileen decide to revive the parties they remember from childhood.
Their plan has two goals: to bring some excitement back to the island and raise money to repair the ageing family villa.
From Greek celebrations to Wild West nights
What begins as a simple plan for summer entertainment soon develops into a series of themed parties that bring music, romance and chaos into the family home.
Audiences will be taken from Greek beach celebrations to Wild West-themed evenings and other party settings, with each event bringing its own musical and dance style.
The production is being choreographed by Tanya Erasmus, with the dancing forming a major part of the show’s visual appeal. The choreography ranges from 1980s-inspired routines and traditional Greek dancing to cowboy, carnival and large ensemble numbers.
Despite its title, The Party! is a fully staged musical theatre production, with audiences seated throughout the performance. There may, however, be opportunities to sing or clap along.
A soundtrack packed with 80s favourites
Music is central to the production, with well-known songs from the 1980s woven into the storyline.
The soundtrack includes Come On Eileen, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Venus, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Like a Prayer, Livin’ on a Prayer, Mony Mony, Footloose, Don’t Stop Believin’, Summer of ’69, I’m Still Standing and Walking on Sunshine.
The show also features energetic medleys and a high-energy finale.
The Playhouse bar will add to the atmosphere with themed drinks and specials during the production’s run.
Family, dreams and finding the courage to move on
Beneath the comedy and colourful spectacle, the production explores themes of family, friendship, growing up and the tension between holding onto the past and moving towards the future.
Tassia’s ambitions are central to the story, while her family and friends are also forced to confront their own dreams, regrets and plans.
The cast of characters includes Tassia’s laid-back father Leo, her energetic cousin Eileen, cleaner Mona, a neighbouring Yiayia and newcomer Luca, whose arrival on the island has unexpected consequences.
Familiar Playhouse performers include Jon-Paul Ruschenbaum and Jarred Pitout, who share the role of Leo, while Angie Mitchell and Mari Swanepoel share the role of Mona.
Tassia’s grandmother also carries memories of a young Spanish soldier named Fernando, with her past gradually becoming part of the family’s present.
Three special preview nights
The production will have three special preview performances before its official opening.
An 80s Dress-Up Night takes place on Saturday, September 5, followed by a Golden Greek Matinee for people over 65 on Sunday, September 6. A Ladies’ Night is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8.
The Party! officially opens on Wednesday, September 9, and runs until Saturday, September 26, with both matinee and evening performances.
Tickets are available through Webtickets.
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