Chippendales rise and shine
2007-05-25 10:08
Liesl Pretorius
Johannesburg - The Chippendales, who have been wowing the ladies for 28 years, say they wear more than Britney Spears.
"We have more concert outfits than Madonna or Britney," says Kevin Cornell of the 160 costumes that the 10 performers get through in a show.
Three of the Chippendales were guests on Elana Afrika's show on the SABC's 5FM radio station on Thursday.
Two of the three on 5FM were first time visitors to South Africa, Stacey Robinson and David Abrams. Like Cornell, they are from Las Vegas, in the USA.
Cornell, who landed in showbiz thanks to his mom, says besides the mistaken notion that they don't need a room for their stage outfits at shows, people seem to think that they're giving a strip show.
"People call it a strip show, but it is closer to a Broadway performance. It's embedded in musical theatre, and it's highly choreographed."
'Exclusive aim is to entertain women'
Cornell says he's been trying for eight years to convey to people what the Chippendales actually do, but "it's difficult to explain".
"It's only after a show that people take the Chippendales seriously," said Cornell, who once listed "flirting" as a hobby.
The Chippendales website says the group was formed in 1979 with "the exclusive aim of entertaining women".
Abrams, who has spent the past two and a half weeks in South Africa to market the group's appearance here, said the highlight was without doubt his visit to a private animal rehabilitation centre, where he came into contact with lions, wolves and warthogs, amongst other creatures.
The former radio announcer and actor, who has a huge tattoo of a lion on his left shoulder, said South Africans had welcomed him "with open arms".
'Sending women home with a smile'
"I could live here. I'm just short of a girl," he said with a wink.
Why did he choose this career?
"There's nothing as rewarding as being on stage and sending women home with a smile," he said.
Cornell says one can do this sort of thing for as long as you look good. He knows of people who are older than forty, who are still at it.
The group practised full time since arriving three days ago for their first performance at The Dome in Northriding, Randburg, on Thursday.
"Don't think we sleep until the afternoon and then give a performance," said Abrams.
The Chippendales are in South Africa, until June 1.
- Beeld