Candice D’Arcy | Megan's Head

Black Butterflies

On October 23, 2011

It’s quite weird sitting in a movie theatre alongside one of the stars of the movie you are watching. That’s what happened last night when a whole bunch of us went to the V&A Waterfront to watch Black Butterflies. (When last did anyone go to the movies at prime time on a Saturday night?)

Black Butterflies is a bio-pic about famous South African poet Ingrid Jonker, her crazy relationship with her father, her tempestuous relationships with men, her dependence on her sister, her poetry, her life and her death. Our fabulous Candice D’Arcy plays her sister.

The movie is slow, brooding, dark, painful and extraordinary. Set in the 60’s in a very clean but apartheid controlled Cape Town, the styling is magnificent. The old cars, the Sea Point promenade, the township, the blocks of flats and hotels. But mostly there is the sea; the wild, bright, hectic, amazing, gloomy, powerful, dangerous, vicious Atlantic that teases, torments and destroys. A lot like Ingrid.

This locally written (and mostly local talent) movie transcends what we have come to expect from a South African film. While it is set during apartheid, and the effects of it are continually felt, it never preaches or becomes message driven. It is a masterfully shot, beautiful art movie, making me want to go and fish out those Ingrid Jonker poems again. And Candice D’Arcy is fabulous.

Putting the fest to bed

By megan

On July 10, 2011

In deeply personal, G'town, theatre stuff

I wanted to write a general post with little bits and pieces, stories and skinner, before I forgot them and got straight back into real life.

I loved being at the fest this year. It was my first time ever that I went as an observer/writer/blogger, as opposed to performer or director, and the shift in stress levels was remarkable! My only wistfulness was that I had to drink all the wine at Bushman’s where I was staying, instead of in G’town, because I couldn’t drive drunk! I am also fired up about bringing work to the fest next year, which is a good sign.

Reasons (other than good shows) I loved the festival this year: I loved Garvey’s coffee at The Monument. I drove the 60 odd k’s in the morning for a macchiato in a real cup. More expensive than most of the meals I ate, but completely spectacular. I brought a bag of his coffee back for Big Friendly. I loved The Art Lounge and the cutey Argentinian boys who made great masala chai, gluwein, veg pies. It was bladdy cold hanging out there, but it was delicious. I loved Fusion (I think) at Cape Town Edge. Mark remembers everyone, and he makes us feel special. It’s also the best food, and jauling, at the fest. I loved being invited to perform at improv comedy at Cape Town Edge, as a fundraiser. I loved hanging with my little sisters and shooting the breeze, slagging off bad shows. Fiona (Shorty’s daughter) du Plooy and Candice (oh my word) D’Arcy are fantastic fest friends. I loved disagreeing with Simon Cooper about virtually every show we saw. I loved evening replays of some of the funny moments with Helen, Mike R, Anthony and Simon. I loved getting hopelessly lost and having Simon and Mike give up the best parking place to find me. I loved weeing with laughter at The Spur with Ntombi, Thembani and Connie. I loved banging into Strato, a Gtown local and friend, and catching up. I loved my chats to Toby and her sister about everything they had seen, and getting feedback on stuff I recommended. I loved Jon Keevy but didn’t see him enough. I loved free wi-fi at The Monument and at The Spur. I loved writing and posting reviews. I loved my media badge and bag, and all the comps I got, and the fantastic Cilnette in the media office. I loved being media (thanks Steve) and having more than my own blog to share my loud and opinionated voice with.

I hated the cold. I hated missing shows completely because of no electricity. I hated those moments where I realised I wasn’t going to see everything I was asked to see, and I saw the look I obviously gave every year to everyone, right back at me. I promise I’ll never do it again. I hated being so far away and leaving the passing of precious Bayla in the hands of Big Friendly. I hated that I was traveling home on my godson’s birthday! I hated that one or two rubbish shows got ‘ovations’ and accolades. I hated some CUE reviews. I hated what happened to the posters in the rain. I hated being manipulated into giving parking money by everyone who saw me leaving a parking spot even though I had found it all by myself.

I loved facebook and twitter and BBM for hooking me up, keeping me in touch and allowing me the occasional vent. It was a good one.

I’m gonna be a Crack!

By megan

On March 23, 2011

In Cape Town, me on stage, theatre stuff

I am so looking forward to this Friday. It’s my birthday, and I am performing with an all girl improv team from TheatreSports at the monthly Cracks Only show at The Baxter! I think that it’s a great way to celebrate my femaleness and agedness. It also counts as work, which I love doing on any celebration day.

Cracks Only is wickedly funny Marianne Thamm, delicious, quirky comedienne Anne Hirsch (one of our TS team too), clever, physical character comedy actor Shimmy Isaacs and brilliant actor Anthea Thompson (who is in Broken Glass at The Fugard at the moment so won’t be being a crack on Friday). Cracks Only normally have guests at their monthly performances and this Friday we are them! Tandi Buchan, Candice D’Arcy, Yve Pelser and I will be jumping into some testosterone free improv as the final act of the evening. Anything could happen.

I can’t wait! Tickets cost R100 and can be booked through Computicket. The show starts at 2130. I’d love to see you there.

Creative inspiration

By megan

On June 20, 2010

In Cape Town, me on stage, theatre stuff

It’s no secret that I have been in theatre denial the last three months. It’s been bad. So bad that I have actively avoided going to see anything, and I have even avoided doing anything theatre related. My work has taken me elsewhere (which has been interesting, stressful and eye-opening) and I have been totally out of the loop.

I was nervous when I agreed to play TheatreSports last night, in the final performance of a week’s run at The Kalk Bay Theatre; I haven’t played or been involved for months. The anxious excitement had me listening to hard-core kwaito in the car on the way. Really, I had nothing to be afraid of. It was a tiny, intimate audience and we were on top form!

I haven’t played with Heather Mac, who has rejoined the group, in 12 or so years, and we were in a team together. What a delight! We started off by singing the National Anthem of Gobleenya. We discussed an Irish poem called The Slimy Green Goblins under the Rock, and Heather and Leon put it to music. We made friends for life after a navel staring incident in the bathroom of the Woodstock library. We were camels in a Western. I was her English daughter-with-a-beard in an English period drama set in India. I can’t remember when last I had such total and complete fun!

It was also a special night for Anne Hirsch; it was her first performance in front of an audience, and she was fantastic. She spent the evening with fabulous TS veteran, Candice D’Arcy, who looked after her in the best, creative and supportive way.

I have to admit that I am already thinking about when I’ll play again. TheatreSports, you are the other beautiful game, and I love you!

Angels on horseback; a very lekker ride

By megan

On March 5, 2009

In show reviews

It was the rather glam opening of Angels on Horseback at On Broadway last night and I took my friend Frob, who is shooting a movie in Slaap Stad, with. And a jolly good, thigh slapping, yeehaing, toe tapping time was had by all.

I first saw (and wrote about) Angels on Horseback way back in 2007, and the show has come a long way since then. In fact, other than the same team (except for Bood) it is hardly recognisable as the same show. This version is slicker, funnier, prettier, tighter and there’s more of it too.

So what is this show Angels on Horseback? It’s Candice D’Arcy and Fiona du Plooy singing, dancing and even baking and horse riding, backed up by Jamie Jupiter and Gene Kierman on many various guitars, drums, a small tuba thing, and even voices. This is all directed and made sexy and funny by Peter Hayes.

I love the original songs. They are very, very funny and sharp and really entertaining. I love Oh Johannes, Erotic Kitchen and Doop Doop. Some of the covers are excellent choices too; my favourites being Gene’s version of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You, Don’tcha and the hilarious Texas Annie. I am still struggling with the version of The Boss’s Dancing in the Dark, but let’s face it, when it comes to Springsteen (and probably only him) I’m a bit of a purist. Nothing will get Candice’s headpiece out of my mind. You gotta see it to believe it!

This show has got a lot going for it. It is proper, genuine entertainment. Because both lurvely ladies are primarily actors, their skill is in delivering a performance, making the songs into little scenes, which for the most part are hilarious. I think the more serious stuff is not as successful; but there’s not too much of that. It’s the pony riding, real rhyming, square (ish) dancing stuff that I lurve. 4907_Girls loo web

Jamie and Gene have come a long way since I first saw them. They have made that difficult transition from pure musician to entertaining performer and they are both totally engaging, funny and delightful, as well as being the great musos they are.

This show hits the scene at a great time. I was feeling a bit starved for good entertainment, and here it is, like Ryk Neethling, on a silver tray. This original show is a blues chaser. It’s feel good. It’s good mood. And it’s well done. It’s not another tribute show (thank the gods). And it’s cheap! Tickets are R85 per person, and there are two halves. Put yr cowboy boots on and dig out your stetsons and make sure you see this one. The run is until 21 March.

Cool offer for Cowboys and girls

By megan

On February 23, 2009

In theatre stuff

So, almost two years ago I saw Angels on Horseback, a cheeky and hilarious romp through some great original country songs with some very funny and even rude lyrics, fronted by Candice D’Arcy and Fiona du Plooy. Now they are doing a brand new version of this cool show and there is a preview on the 3rd of March and you can pick up a ticket for a lowly R50!

Oh, it helps if I tell you the where and when hey? Angels on Horseback is at On Broadway and runs ’til the 21 March. Yee ha!

Angels poster09web

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A place where Megan gets off her head.

Tag: Candice D’Arcy (Page 3 of 3)

Black Butterflies

Putting the fest to bed

I’m gonna be a Crack!

Creative inspiration

Angels on horseback; a very lekker ride

Cool offer for Cowboys and girls

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