The best laid plan of mice and men
BRAAMFONTEIN – Local producer puts on a Disney tribute at the Joburg Theatre.
The Fringe at Joburg Theatre was the venue for the inaugural production of The Man & The Mouse on 9 October. The musical was a chronological compilation of songs from Disney productions from the first full-length film in 1937 to the current Disney films. Encapsulating the spirit of Walt Disney, the small cast performed songs from films such as The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Frozen.
The Man & The Mouse was the brainchild of Northcliff resident, Brett de Groot, who produced, wrote, directed and performed in the show. De Groot became the youngest professional theatre producer and director in South Africa after producing Simply Broadway at the age of 21. The Man & The Mouse was De Groot’s second project.
The Man & The Mouse was delivered through the medium of four musicians and three vocalists including De Groot. Although the performance was filled with humour, it was a mature representation of the Disney legacy. Forgoing the cartoon outfits that many Disney reproductions are prone to, The Man & The Mouse put the spotlight on the music. Adults were able to delight in the talented performances of timeless classics from the small cast, while children eagerly joined in as the show moved towards songs that were familiar to them.
Along with De Groot’s versatility, David Cousins led the show with his exceptional piano skills bringing the Disney classics to life.
De Groot hopes that more performances of The Man & The Mouse are on the horizon. He said, “We had a wonderfully talented cast and I thought the show went off really well.”
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