THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP Comes to Montecasino Theatre from 5 July

Jonathan Roxmouth (SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT), one of the biggest names in South African theatre, stars with the inimitable Weslee Swain Lauder (SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, PETER PAN, STARLIGHT EXPRESS) in THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP as they have never been seen before. The popular play is conceived and written by Charles Ludlum, and directed by Elizma Badenhorst (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE) with an original score by Wessel Odendaal.

On a remote manor called Mandacrest, something is amiss. Between the horrors of a marauding beast terrorizing the estate and the looming presence of the recently deceased former mistress Irma Vep, matters become awkward in the extreme for Lord Edgar and his new wife, Lady Enid. In this side-splitting comedy, audiences will be taken from the moors of England to the tombs of Egypt and back again, encountering along the way a host of vampires, werewolves, mummies and all manner of things that go bump in the night.

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP is a satire of several theatrical, literary and film genres, including Victorian melodrama, farce and the penny dreadful as well classic works such as Emily Brontë's WUTHERING HEIGHTS and the Alfred Hitchcock film, REBECCA.

The eight characters in this deliciously decadent whodunnit lunatics, beasts, ghouls and gentlefolk - are played by a cast of only two actors, who switch characters and costumes faster than the speed of light. The intricate wardrobe design is by Pierre du Plessis, scenic design is by Nadine and Louis Minnaar, and lighting design is by Oliver Hauser.

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP will be on the boards at Pieter Toerien's Theatre at Montecasino from 5 - 30 July. Bookings are through Computicket. Keep up with all things IRMA VEP on the official Facebook page for the production. THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP is presented in South Africa by VR Theatrical by special arrangement with Samuel French.