A handful of Keys back at Theatre on the Bay

Ian Von Memerty’s A Handful of Keys is back at Theatre on the Bay until Sunday October 8.

The show has clocked over 1 450 performances for some 420 000 fans over its 23-year lifespan.

The show first opened in 1994 under the direction of Alan Swerdlow, with script by Malcolm Terrey and costumes by Margo Fleisch.

Originally the show saw Ian Von Memerty and Bryan Schimmel take to the keys.

The show has since had many incarnations, totaling six cast changes overall.

This season will see Roelof Colyn take on the role of anchor to the piece. Joining him is 19-year-old James Smith. With a fresh new cast comes a slick new veneer to the show.

“The set has been simplified because the material has got stronger,” says Von Memerty.

“Initially our costumes were very ‘sweet’, now they are POW. We used to use real pianos back in the day, now we have the very best Yamaha electric grand pianos with the best ‘feel’ and sound imaginable.

“About 50 percent of the material has changed,” boasts Von Memerty, “but the winning format hasn’t changed. It is still everything that two men can do with two pianos in two hours”.

Ticket prices range from R100 to R180. Book through the Theatre On The Bay box-office on 021 438 3301 or through Computicket.