Revue

The term "revue" generally refers to a theatrical production consisting typically of brief loosely connected often satirical skits, songs, and dances.

It has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama, growing into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932. It shares a number of features with forms like operetta and musical theatre, bringing together music, dance and sketches to create a show. Revue, like cabaret, music hall, vaudeville and variety, does not necessarily have an overarching storyline, but rather utilises a general theme that serves as the motto for a loosely-related series of acts that alternate between solo performances and dance ensembles.

A form at one time referred to as the intimate revue was introduced to South Africa by Adam Leslie in the 1960s.

In South Africa variations on the revue form became very popular again in the 1960s-1980s under the influence of such diverse producer/performers as Alf Herbert, Adam Leslie, Robert Kirby, Kevin Feather and many others. A number of these performances were driven by a political agenda in the times of increasing governmental censorship.

See also Vaudeville and Cabaret.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revue

Mervyn McMurtry. 1995. Adam Leslie and his contribution to satire in Intimate Revue in South African Theatre. In: South African Theatre Journal (Volume 9, 1995 - Issue 1): pp.3-27.

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