THE Tony Award-winning musical and hit Broadway show A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder comes to Cape Town this winter. Presented by The Masque and Milnerton Players, this razor-sharp, brilliantly funny, acclaimed musical comedy is about ambition, inheritance, and just how far one man is willing to go to get what he believes he deserves.
It will be performed at The Masque in Muizenberg from 22 May to 6 June followed by a run at Milnerton Playhouse from 19 June to 5 July.
Set in 1907 London, penniless clerk Monty Navarro learns an incredible secret on the night of his mother’s funeral: he is a distant relative of the incredibly wealthy D’Ysquith banking family and is eighth in line to inherit the prestigious Earldom of Highhurst.When the reigning Earl arrogantly dismisses Monty’s claim, Monty decides to speed up the line of succession. He sets out to creatively — and hilariously — eliminate the seven other heirs ahead of him in line.
Murder is not the only thing on Monty’s mind. Throughout his murderous rampage, he must juggle his affections between two women with very different motivations: Sibella Hallward, the woman Monty deeply loves, who is beautiful but highly self-centred and determined to marry into wealth; Phoebe D’Ysquith is the sweet, surprisingly cunning cousin of the D’Ysquith family, to whom Monty finds himself increasingly drawn.
As Monty climbs the social ladder and disposes of his pesky relatives, he must constantly dodge the suspicions of the authorities and the jealous demands of his lovers.
Directed by CATA (Cape Amateur Theatre Awards) winner Kyla Thorburn, musical direction is by Barend Van Der Westhuizen, who also performs in the show, and is himself a recipient of a number of CATAs. Book and lyrics are by Robert L Freedman, with music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is based on a novel by Roy Horniman.
The production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.com
“We are delighted to be partnering with Milnerton Players to present this deliciously fun, darkly comic, very typical farce. This is going to be a highlight on Cape Town’s cultural calendar,” says Christine Kaye, vice-chair of The Masque,
Neal Johnson of Milnerton Players says, “The score requires a powerhouse vocal for its catchy, classic songs, and the team are having a blast preparing in the rehearsals. Don’t miss this show — it’s a riot of fun!”
Bookings for The Masque at Quicket; bookings for Milnerton Playhouse here.
PHOTO CREDIT: Faeron Wheeler
