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Walking out onto the deck of Green Point's trendy spot, Café Manhattan, I am greeted by a big smile and friendly hello from the fabulous Marguerita Freeks.

Looking very dramatic in the warm glow of red lights she seems very relaxed and at home, taking a well deserved evening break from her latest show, Till the Fat Lady Sings.

She slowly sips her honey tea and begins to share some of her experiences with me, including her thoughts on what it's like to be part of the hit cabaret trio - Three Tons of Fun.

Born and raised in Grassy Park, Marguerita says that her musical beginning is an all too familiar story.

"It's that old cliche - it all began as a young girl in the school choir..." she laughs.

"After school I studied for two years but honestly it taught me absolutely nothing," says Marguerita. "I really felt that my time had been wasted."

So she found herself a waitressing job and took the plunge and began to audition for various shows.

As gorgeous and talented as she is one would think that landing a role would be easy, but in a society where thin is considered beautiful, Marguerita would struggle for seven more years before her luck would turn.

"After a while I just stopped auditioning," she says. "I got tired of hearing the same rejection speech."

"One audition was for a production that was going to Spain, and at first they accepted me," she continues. "I was packed and ready after weeks of rehearsing, and the day before I was set to leave, I got a call telling me that I was out of the show because I was too fat.

"I have always been a larger woman, but I embrace who I am," Marguerita says. "It is just so sad that so many people think that you are either thin or you are obese, like there is no in between."

Ironic then that the big break for Marguerita came in the form of Three Tons of Fun.

"When Glenn Swart and Russel Shapiro first told me they wanted me for a show which had three large ladies singing cabaret hits and calling themselves Three Tons of Fun I cringed at first," she admits, "but I also liked it. The name was very tongue and cheek and I could be myself."

The group was formed with three strong, sensual and equally talented ladies - Marguerita, Lillian Khumalo and "Mamma" Stella Magaba, who has since been replaced by the fantastic Dorothy Engelbrecht.

Three Tons of Fun was an instant hit on the Cape Town cabaret circuit and Marguerita says that after four years together they are still loving it.

"We always have a good response to the show and I think the reason for that is that people can see we are enjoying ourselves," she says. "They know about us now and when they hear we have a new show opening they know they are going to have a good time.

"I love being a part of a show that is not only fun, but proves that if you embrace who you are and flaunt what you have got you can be sexy and fabulous, regardless of your size."

In this latest offering the girls reunite with former member "Mamma" Stella and their chemistry on stage is undeniable.

"We work really well together. Each girl has their own strength and weakness. Where one lacks the other one fills the gap.

"Stella is amazing. She is so experienced and professional and yet so humble. We all have a lot to learn from her.

"Dorothy is sweet and demure with the voice of an angel and Lillian, well Lillian is a real diva, the drama queen," she laughs.

Although she admit she would like to one day get into television, with the current success of the show and a regular radio slot on Heart 104, Marguerita says she is very happy with where she is at the moment.

"Life is good and I'm enjoying myself. As for the future, well, we will just have to see what happens."

Don't miss Marguerita and the girls in Till the Fat Lady Sings at On Broadway until 14 May. The show starts at 20:30 nightly and tickets cost R65 per person. Dinner is served from 18:30, the show begins at 20:30. For bookings phone (021) 424-1194 or more information visit On Broadway's website at: www.onbroadway.co.za

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