Von Memertys -A Celebration
THE VON MEMERTYS - A CELEBRATION
Our little family show has done so well that I have actually had so scale back on the number of shows we were doing so that the kids can still be KIDS. You know home work, trampolines, days at the beach etc. However we still ahve several shows in the pipe line.'
A dazzling, full length, gorgeously costumed show featuring Ian, Viv, his latin and ballroom champion wife and their two children, Oscar 13, and Kasvia , 8.
Ian gives a 'wry, funny' account of his relationships - with the piano (38 years), with Viv (19 years), with parenthood (16 years), and Showbusiness (25 years).
You can scroll down to see just HOW MUCH the audiences are enjoying the show. "This started off as a something which I knew the family would love doing - but it obviously has something magical for audiences. Their reaction is so passionate, inspired and uplifting that I realise the show has something unique. It not only leaves them with a great feeling but it is GREAT entertainment as well!"
FORTHCOMING PERFORMANCES
May 29th, 30th - Uplands Festival - White River
July 4th - Spar Function - Mbokweni Sun
July 24th, 25th - PE Children's Home Fundraiser
REVIEWS AND COMMENTS
Swinging effortlessly from classic pianist to rock ‘n roll dancer, from stand-up comic to evergreen singer, he shares some of the highlights of his long showbiz career and touches on the long battle against tragedy and illness that has obviously bonded this family deeply together. He takes the stage with his partner and wife, Vivian, who dances numerous roles with elegance and style, and his two children, Oskar the hip-hop dancer, aged 13, and talented little Kasvia, who is now 8. It is two hours of joyous and moving song, dance and celebration, presented with professionalism, confidence, charm and an engaging honesty.
When I first heard about The Von Memertys: A Celebration, I’ll admit I was a little dubious. Renowned piano player and song-and-dance man Ian von Memerty has previously teamed up with his dancer wife Viv to great effect: everyone enjoys watching a dancing duo knowing that the partners share real-life romance as well as onstage chemistry. But throw their two children, Oscar and Kasvie, into the mix – a singing, dancing “family Von Memerty” – and, well ... doesn’t that just make for self-indulgent, sentimental schlock?
From the first moment on opening night, however, it was clear that this would be no cheap or cheesy family spectacle. The show begins with a single spot on Ian at the piano, striking the resonant chords of a brief overture before launching into Irving Berlin’s “I Love A Piano” – one of many solo numbers he performs in A Celebration. This is fitting, as Ian’s ability on the keyboard has been the core of his success; A Handful of Keys, the two-man piano extravaganza that he and Bryan Schimmel created in 1994, is still running to popular acclaim.
Ian’s relationship with the piano, he explains to the audience, is the first of many significant relationships that are to be celebrated. During the course of the show, he narrates the development of his own career, his marriage to Viv, the growth of their family and the trials they have faced – interspersing this narrative with a healthy dose of self-deprecating comments and light-hearted anecdotes. It’s clear that Ian relishes the role of raconteur and he has an easy rapport with a crowd (as followers of Strictly Come Dancing will attest).
His banter serves to string together a series of dance numbers. Many of these are between husband and wife – ranging from sensuous ballroom pieces to a lampoon of 80s “funk” – often with Ian singing at the same time. Occasionally the sound balance at the performance I attended was off, leaving his voice drowned out by the backing track; there was another technical hitch when some of the lower notes on the piano began to stick, although this gave him a chance to demonstrate his virtuosity by changing key mid-way through his “Simple Life Medley”.
When the couple dance, Ian’s playfulness offsets Viv’s earnest grace. Indeed, a fusion of the serious and the ridiculous characterises the whole show. Assured in their talent, they pretend to be old and tired (Ian, in particular, wheezes and complains of mock-injuries) but the audience isn’t fooled: Ian’s brazen pelvic thrusts when singing “You Don’t Have to be Rich” are evidence enough that he still feels young on stage.
And then there are the kids. Anyone who doesn’t know the Von Memerty family history would simply look at Oscar and Kasvie joining their mom and dad on stage and say, “Oh, that’s so cute!” But, as Ian explains, Oscar – now 13 years old, although he looks closer to 5 – hates being called cute.
In the 1990s, Oscar and his late sister Valeska were diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening genetic condition. Ian and Viv managed to raise millions of rands to pay for bone marrow transplants for both of them. Tragically, Valeska died a few years later; but Oscar has prospered and is now a hip-hop dance fanatic. He brought the house down with an impressive solo that would put any streetwise mover from Detroit or the South Bronx to shame.
The “family numbers” are polished and sustain the combination of professionalism and parody introduced by Ian and Viv. Making fun of their own attempts to live a bucolic lifestyle on a smallholding in the Eastern Cape, and embracing the obvious comparison to the Swiss family Von Trapp, the Von Memertys put on overalls and galoshes to present what Ian calls “The Sound of Music gone tribal”, complete with gumboot dancing and some inventive percussion.
All in all, the musical variety, the dancing ability, the numerous costume changes and the sheer energy on stage make this a winning production. The Von Memertys are well attuned to the possibility of being overly sentimental, and ensure that their celebration is both fun and funny: it’s too over-the-top to be kitsch. There are also, however, some stirring moments. Ian’s renditions of “Viv” (which has acquired greater significance since he first wrote it for his wife before the family’s difficulties began) and of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” are particularly captivating, and it must be said that this is a show to warm one’s heart with pride in the talent, fortitude and joie de vivre of compatriots like the Von Memertys.
As someone in the opening night audience said to a few journos reviewing the von Memerty Celebration – “if you diss this show, it will be like dissing God.”
email reaction
Hi Ian – we absolutely loved your show. My sister is here in PE and was also at your Celebration show and just loved it. By the way her husband said it was the best show he had ever seen, and he has seen enough shows in his life to be able to say that! Best regards from us all and we look forward to more appearances by you and the family. Russell, Nina, Warren and Jason Crowhurst
Hi Ian
Glenda and I both thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the concept and execution of the show is a Wow!
Viv looks marvellous and moves like a dream and the appearances by your children can certainly not be regarded as self-indulgence on their talented parents' parts as they both fully merit the exposure and easily carry the choreography. And your colourful costuming is fabulous.
Kasvia is already a little charmer while Oscar also seems like a smaller chip off the old block!
Bob Eveleigh.
Wow! What was it that hit PE last night? Aren't we the luckiest people to have been treated to an "outstanding" show. The talent, the charisma, the vibes between them all! Iit was so exciting, hanging onto every word, song and music with everyone sitting on the edge of their seats. If it were on again tonight, I would be there, boots and all. Congrats to the von Memerty family - sterkte in big chunks. Joc and Roy
YOWWWW, what an evening..... Thank u so very much for affording me this wonderful opportunity to enjoy a fantastic evening's entertainment. Both Cecil & I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I never knew Ian is so talented. Well worth the price!!! ........Geraldine
You were quite right - WOW!!!!
Thank you all for a wonderful evening! It was the perfect blend of family, polish, laughs, genuine feeling and seeing 4 friends up on stage having so much fun together and doing it so WELL was a real treat and the shot in the arm the 3 of us needed.
WOW!! Well done and thank you! ……….. Margaret, Luke and Jane
Hi Sophie.......just a quickie to say, THANKS A MILLION FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL EVENING LAST NIGHT!!!!!!! Every minute of the fabulous show was enjoyed as well as the delicious dinner!!!
Kind regards ......... James
I can't tell you how much we enjoyed it. It was completely fabulous, a real happy feel good show. Kind regards ......... Sarah
I'd forgotten what a fine performer Ian is - and I Love that he's not too proud to bring the family and "do" the country circuit.…….Sharon Emmerich