At one time casinos in South Africa were known for their big budget cabaret and extravaganza style shows in which feather-bedecked women, paraded alongside a series of dancers and sexy singers, moved the crowd to a variety of hits. In recent years, however, these shows have fallen from the general entertainment radar and it’s this that the latest production at Gold Reef City aims to correct.
Morkel’s rise to fame really began with the TV show Coca-Cola Pop Stars in 2002 where he made the top ten and subsequently became part of the pop group Afro Z, which was one of the supporting acts for Jay-Z’s tour to SA. Since then he has performed in Sun City extravaganzas, toured the world and carved out a niche as a successful corporate entertainer.
“There is so much diversity in terms of what we are singing, from local hits to some of the big ones from the 80s, and all this is happening while choreographing with dancers and lighting. It’s the kind of challenge I like,” he said, following a gruelling rehearsal that left him drenched in sweat. “For me, there are two moments in every show that I enjoy: the second the curtain goes up for the first time, and watching people at that moment where everything clicks and you can see they are having fun,” Oliver added.