Atkinson at 80 – The Importance of Being Michael

Atkinson at 80 – The Importance of Being Michael. Directed by Ralph Lawson. Musical direction by Aviva Pelham. Accompanist Victor Tichart.

A tribute to Michael Atkinson, this revue was offered on Sunday, 25 March 2007 as a once-off gala event, aptly entitled Atkinson at 80: The Importance of Being Michael, at the Baxter Theatre Centre to celebrate Michael Atkinson's 80th birthday as well as  60 glorious years in theatre and show business and 40 years on South African stages.

Director Ralph Lawson assembled a stellar line-up, with musical direction by Aviva Pelham to pay tribute to one of South Africa’s most respected artists who has delighted local audiences with acclaimed performances for four decades. The programme for the gala evening was made up of a wonderful mix of high comedy, drama, music and song, with excerpts from some of the plays which made him the darling of the South African audiences. These included works by Noël Coward, Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde and William Shakespeare. Sharing the stage with Michael were colleagues and friends Moira Lister, Paddy Canavan, Fiona Coyne, musical director Aviva Pelham, Liz Szymczak, Diane Wilson, John Caviggia, David Crichton, Roger Dwyer, Nicholas Ellenbogen and director Ralph Lawson.

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