No Sugar, Canderel Please June 22, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in Hellenic Light Africa.trackback
Writers > Harry Sideropoulos and Sam Cowen
Performer > Harry Sideropoulos
Director > James Cunningham
Venue > Johannesburg Civic’s Tesson Theatre
Hype is a double-edged sword. If you’re doing a sixth season, you must be doing something right. You’re also creating huge expectations for those who are coming to see the show for the first time.
Dealing with the F-word (with Canderel as a sponsor, we know which one he means!), Sideropoulos is moving in familiar territory. Not only for himself but also for the audience. What we have here is rejection and on whatever level, we’ve all been there. Fortunately, we’re also dealing with someone who understands the genre he’s working in. He’s Greek after all. Tragic-comedy is part of the way he breathes. And once you find that essence, then comes the magic.
Sideropoulos turns a solo performance into a theatrical event as he brings on the family and friends, in fact, anyone who had something to say about his huge appetite for life and, of course, other things. With the help of director James Cunningham, it’s action, lights and anything else you can throw into the mix but done with perfect timing and never at the cost of a script with soul.
Talking about size is not something one wants to do lightly having seen the show, but this is one that has huge heart. Mention diet and everyone has a story to tell. There’s not much new on that front. With Sideropoulos, however, it comes from the gut and the honesty with which he explores his life is both funny, and well, tragic. His whole life he has battled with weight but what to do? He is what he is and for Greeks survival is something you do in order to eat!
One of the delights of the show is his love for dance. He moves like an angel, sings with passion and masters the confessional tightrope magnificently. With all that on his side, he turns solo into spectacular.
grhomeboy
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