14 Mar 2009 Take an entertaining trip down memory lane with Jayson King’s musical tribute show The Great Pretenders, which opens at the State Theatre in Pretoria on 17 March 2009 for a limited season.

Following their successful stint at the Market Theatre last year, this troupe of top-class performers returns to Gauteng with their homage to the great, classic songs of the 20th century, and their equally legendary singers.

The show has been running for more than 15 years and has played to capacity houses at the Sound Stage in Midrand and Gold Reef City’s Globe Theatre, with audiences continually flocking back for more.
Produced and directed by consummate entertainer Jayson King, The Great Pretenders salutes timeless singers such as Chuck Berry, Tom Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Julio Iglesias, Louis Armstrong and Andrea Bocelli.

King, who at 64 years young remains on top of his game as ‘Mr Showbiz’, will be joined on stage by several exceptional singing talents, lending their considerable vocal abilities to an array of genres ranging from rock ’n roll to ballads.

With 2009 being the 50th anniversary of Motown, expect to hear a special selection from this era by singers Christine Mathee and Lecrecia Masemola, who will be wrapping their voices around classics by the likes of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, and The Shirelles.


Other top singers making up the Great Pretenders outfit are singing powerhouse Carol-Leigh; Dennis Maart, who has been with the show since its inception in 1993; Jacques Hector Smith (aka Blondie), who started out in Taliep Petersen and David Kramer’s District Six: The Musical; and Tony Butler, nephew of internationally acclaimed jazz singer Jonathan Butler.

Then, of course, there’s veteran entertainer King, a survivor of the 1960s District Six days who brings echoes of that era to that show with the incredible, tight four-part harmonies during the opening a cappella numbers. This highly professional entertainer is the host of the show and sings in French, Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Zulu and Hindi.

Expect great music and spectacular costumes, designed by King himself, with the cast keeping the audience spellbound with their magical vocal styles and dynamic interpretations of classic hits from yesteryear. Be sure not to miss this highly enjoyable family show with a nostalgic kick!

The Great Pretenders is on at the Drama at the State Theatre from 17 to 28 March. Book at Computicket.