By Marie Straub

They’re the closest thing to the Von Trapp family that sunny South Africa has, and they even come with a ‘von’. I’m talking about Ian; Vivienne; Oscar; and Kasvia Von Memerty. The latest show from this show business family is Von Memerty’s Circle Of Life, which ties together their myriad of talents for a family show with a little humour; a little flash; and a good dose of nostalgia. Here’s what to expect.

This show is strung together on the back of a number of popular songs, both old and new, which you will recognise and no doubt tap your feet along to. From ‘I’ve Got Rhythm’ to ‘Evergreen’; from ‘Nkalakatha’ to ‘Sarie Marais’; from ‘Boom Boom Pow’ to ‘Spirit of the Great Heart’, the music spans decades and countries, and is an altogether pleasant collection. The family negotiate their way through these numbers, singing, dancing and (in Ian’s case) getting instrumental. They all perform with smiles and vigour, and with an efficiency that speaks to their commitment to their work – consummate professionals, even though Oscar is only 14 and Kasvia, nine.

While Ian, for the most part, serves as the show’s backbone and narrates from number to number, his wife’s class on the dance floor demonstrates her skills as a former ballroom dance champion and will leave you wondering if she shouldn’t be the one hosting Strictly Come Dancing. He’s not too bad himself, but the real thing working for them in their duets is effortless comfort with which they dance – their obvious affection for each other strikes a chord. Ian jokes early on that while he will tell you his wife is four months younger than he is, he is forced “by domestic circumstances” to divulge his own age. It is those very domestic circumstances that are this show’s main selling point and strength.

As Ian shares both the details of the life of a family in show business – and I’m talking about the unromantic moments, like having to wear hats your cats have pissed in – it is the intimacy of the show that is most compelling.

This is not to say the individuals are without their own talents. Ian is at his best when he is behind the piano, and both his instrumental solos – ‘Circle of Life’ and ‘Fantasie Impromptu’ – are highlights. Vivienne’s dancing is perfectly on point, and there is no denying that this is one mom who knows how to shake it. Little Kasvia faltered a little in her first number, but went on to prove herself a strong and beautiful singer, and you’ll completely forget that she’s not yet ten. Her voice really comes into its own in her duets with her dad, which will tug at your heart strings. And then there is Oscar. A tiny 14-year-old - because of his much publicised battle with Maroteaux Lamy Syndrome, the disease sister Valeska died from - what he lacks in height he more than makes up for in talent. He’ll blow you away when he steps out as probably the best dancer in his family… and a lot of other places, besides. Danny K should send this kid a thank-you letter, because he has never seemed as cool as when Oscar was ‘breaking it down’ to one of his songs, ‘Shorty’. With Ian taking the words ‘muscle shirt’ to places they’ve never been before, he’ll tell you that Oscar is 3ft tall and cooler than he’s been in his whole life. And you’ll know it’s true, because you’ll be sitting in your seat recognising just how much cooler this teenager is than your own damn self. Oscar is gangster… I think perhaps the term is ‘gangsta’, but I’m not ‘down like that’, so I may be wrong. What I’m not wrong about is that whether he is moving to ‘Boom Boom Pow’ (thank you Black Eyed Peas) or doing Michael Jackson impersonations, this kid would make half the teens trying to rock the dance floor at Vacca Matta green with envy – they wish they were even a quarter as ‘gangsta’. He’s probably the best dancer in the family.

Oscar aside, it’s not always a technical triumph – the mother and daughter dance for instance, is not going to take your breath away. There is, however, undeniably something about the quality of this mother executing exquisitely this contemporary dance with classic precision, alongside the innocent copy of a girl with plenty of talent but not nearly as much training. This quality, added to the fact that they are in fact mother and daughter, will either make your heart warm, or your lack of tolerance for cheese surface, depending on which way you lean in the sentimentality stakes.

With just a hint of nostalgia – remember the days when we had to push ‘play’ and ‘record’ at the same time – and a whole lot of family ties, this show is meant to reach your fuzzy inside places, and even for a cynic like me, there were moments when it succeeded. The verdict? Mom knows how to shake it; Dad’s mean on the keys and is not half bad at holding a tune; bro is ripped and ready to ‘drop it like it’s hot’; and little Kasvia, well there aren’t a lot of many nine-year-olds who can sing so beautifully; execute dance steps so exactly; and perform with such composure.

If you’re in a family state of mind, this will tug at your heart strings. If you’re in more of an empire state of mind, you’ll probably find it sweet, but a little cheesy, while cheering like an animal for the gangsta that is Oscar. It’s South Africa’s Von Trappy best.

Von Memerty's Circle Of Life is showing at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino until 20 June 2010.