deur Coen Jacobs

Sprokiesverhale met hul elemente van woude, kastele, waters en koninkryke is al vir duisende jare deel van elke kultuur, veral stories wat op die verhoog in soveel vorms vertel word. Een van die bekendste sprokies, Doringrosie; Die slapende Skone, het pas geopen as die derde Afrikaanse pantomime deur Add-Life Produksies, na die sukesvolle Aspoestertjie met Karlien van Jaarsveld in 2015, en Sneeuwitjie verlede jaar, met Nadine in die hoofrol.

Tydens die openingsvertoning, is verskeie glanspersoonlikhede, en ook hulle kroos, weggevoer na ‘n fantasie wêreld van klanke, kleur en vreemde karakters. Die kinderlike opgewondenheid was van vroeg af duidelik sigbaar, nie net op die gesigte van die jongspan nie, maar ook die ouer gardes wat vir ‘n oomblik die realiteit ontvlug het na ‘n plek, ver ver van hier.

Doringrosie is ‘n panto in elke sin van die woord, maar wat dit meer spesiaal maak, dit is in ons moedertaal. Van skreeusnaakse mans in vrouegewaad, feëtjies op fietse, prinse op Harley Davidson bromponies, tot ‘n spierwit sprokiestroue, was die Theatre of Marcellus omskep in ‘n genotvolle ervaring.

Die produksie is ‘n vermening van eendag, lank lank gelede, maar bevat selfs elemente van eendag, nie so lank lank gelede nie. Visueel is dit vir die kleinspan ‘n kleurryke ervaring, maar die draaibroek is ook baie vermaaklik vir die meer volwasse oor. Hedendaagse aspekte van ons eie kultuur en konteks word op ‘n skerp humoristiese wyse oorgedra, en ek moet die skrywers op hulle baatjie takseer. Ernstige kenmerke van ons tyd word deurgaans deur die teks gebruik, maar spoor die gehoor aan om dinge soms ook deur ‘n ligter lens te sien.

Die rolverdeling het egter die karakters soos sprokies-handskoene gepas. Charlize Berg het die hoofrol gespeel, met haar bose opponent Belladonna, wat vertolk is deur Bianca le Grange. Ander rolle sluit in die alomteenwoordige panto-prins, met Marno van der Merwe as Prins Aalwyn, en Clint Lesch as Koning Knopkruid.  Die formele sang-ervaring van Lesch is baie duidelik, en bring ‘n heeltemal anderse dimensie aan die gevoel van die produksie.

Maar die vermaak van die aand gaan natuurlik aan die twee goeie feë, wat natuurlik vir vlymskerp humor, met soms tong-in-die-kies sê-goed gesorg het. Hannes Brummer en Tiaan Rautenbach was in hulle elemente met hierdie fopdos kostuums, en dit was duidelik hoe die gemak met hulle rolle giggelend bygedra het tot die doel van hulle karakters.

Agter die skerms van Doringrosie was groot name in die Afrikaanse vermaaklikheids bedryf. Weslee Lauder het die regie behartig wat al die elemente bymekaar gebring het. Die choreograaf, Jaco van Rensburg het ook dans-dans daarin geslaag om die hele verhoog lewendig te maak deur sy gebruik van klassieke, asook meer moderne roetines.

‘n Panto is nie ‘n Panto sonder die passende musiek nie. Verskeie Afrikaanse treffers is op ‘n sprokiesagtige wyse geskep en verwerk om by te dra tot die verbeelding van die gehoor. Wat anders kan ‘n mens van ‘n musikale genie Heidi Edeling verwag? Edeling was ook die musiekregisseur, en het saam met Franscois Steyn die verwerkings gedoen.

Op die verhoog, met Renier Keyser en Nadine Minnaar wat verantwoordelik was vir die stelontwerp, en die kostuums deur Trudie Ströh en Lise-Marie Keyser, het die sigbare storie lewe gekry onder die beligting deur Simon King. Dit was asof die verskeie sprokiestonele elkeen in die gehoor laat voel het asof die sprokiesverhaal lewe kry, reg daar in Sprokiesland.

Hierdie produksie van Doringrosie; Slapende Skone, beloof om een vir die boeke te wees. Gaan kuier gerus in feëtjieland, of as jy wil, Kok-A-Toor, saam met die twee feëtjies, Kruidjie-Roer-My-Nie en Vygie Fynbos, as hulle hul towerstawwe swaai om jou te neem na ‘n onvergeetlike land.

Hierdie land is nog besoekbaar tot 4 Junie, by die Theatre of Marcellus, in Emperor’s Palace.

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After receiving rave reviews across the board from critics and audiences alike, Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre’s grand-scale, smash hit, all South African production of West Side Story will be presented at the Mandela Theatre at the Joburg Theatre by popular demand from 24 January 2017.

West Side Story ended a staggeringly successful, sold-out run at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town last year, and was the Fugard Theatre’s first out-of-house production, five years on from the theatre’s official launch in 2010.

West Side Story, Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim’s musical theatre masterpiece, is based on an original conception of Jerome Robbins and is arguably one of the world’s greatest musicals. The stellar creative team is headed by Matthew Wild (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl) as director, Charl-Johan Lingjnfelder (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl) as musical director and conductor, and choreographer Louisa Talbot (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl). The Fugard Theatre team has selected the finest South African talent for this production that first premiered on Broadway in New York in 1957. The superb cast of 40 is backed by a full Philharmonic Orchestra playing Bernstein’s magnificent score that includes iconic songs such as “Something’s Coming”, “Maria“, “I Feel Pretty” and “Tonight“.

Reprising their roles as Tony, Maria and Bernardo respectively, will be Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winners Jonathan Roxmouth (Topsy Turvy, A Handful of Keys, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Phantom of the Opera) as Tony and Lynelle Kenned (Orpheus in Africa, Showboat, The Sound of Music) as Maria and Christopher Jaftha (The Sleeping Beauty, High School Musical) as Bernardo. Sharing the title role once more with Ms. Kenned will be the London-based actress and opera singer Filipa van Eck (Carmen, L’Aggripina) who will perform the role of Maria once a week. Bianca le Grange (Blood Brothers, District Six Kanala, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) returns to reprise her role of Anita.

The Jets gang is led once again by Fleur du Cap nominee Stephen Jubber (Annie, Showboat) as Riff, backed by a superb cast that includes Daniel Buys (Cabaret, Saturday Night Fever) and Grant Almirall (Singin’ in the Rain, Jersey Boys) as Action. Mr. Buys will perform the role of Action from 24 January to 18 February 2017 and Mr. Almirall will perform the role from 19 February to 5 March 2017. Sven–Eric Müller (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret) as Diesel, Cameron Botha (Singin’ in the Rain, Sweeney Todd) as Snowboy, Clive Gilson (Sister Act, High School Musical) as Big Deal, LJ Neilson (Sound of Music, Dirty Dancing) as Anybody’s, Elzanne Crause (A Thousand Shepherds, Queen at the Ballet, The Phantom of the Opera) as Velma, Kristin Wilson (So You Think You Can Dance, Private Presley) as Graziella, Tamryn van Houten (Private Presley) as Minnie and Caitlin Clerk (Sister Act, Showboat) as Pauline. Adrian Galley (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret), returns as Doc. Brendan Murray (Amadeus, Romeo and Juliet) will perform the role of Krupke alternating with Richard Lothian (An Absolute Turkey, Taming of the Shrew) who will once again be the fight choreographer.

Christopher Jaftha, now a well-known Top Billing presenter, leads the Sharks as Bernardo, with Zolani Shangase (The Lion King, Orpheus in Africa) as Chino, Carlo McFarlane (Footloose- The Musical, A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits) as Pepe, Duane Williams (Honey 3, Cinderella: If the Shoe Fits) as Indio, Thami Njoko (Swan Lake) as Luis, Tevin Wiener (Honey 3) as Toro, Sabelo Radebe (Peter Pan) as Nibbles, Kirsten Rossiter (Grease, Jersey Boys) as Rosalia, Chloe Perling (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret) as Consuela, Sarah-Ann van der Merwe (Reik Na Die Sterre) as Francisca, Natasha Hess (District Six Kanala, Orpheus in Africa) as Estella and Ipeleng Merafe (Swan Lake, A Thousand Shepherds) as Teresita. Tamryn van Houten (Private Presley, Spartacus of Africa),  Sibusiso Mxosana (Spartacus of Africa, Spring and Fall), Gemma Trehearn (Iris Warriors, A Thousand Shepherds) and Nurit Graff (Dirty Dancing, Showboat) complete the talented line up of remarkable performers.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, the tale is set in the Upper West Side neighbourhood in New York City in the mid-1950s. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two street gangs of different backgrounds. The members of the Sharks are taunted by the Jets. The young protagonist, Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang leader, Riff, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and the focus on social conflict marked a turning point in American musical theatre.

West Side Story is a must-see that is guaranteed to be a highlight on Johannesburg’s 2017 theatre calendar.

The season will run from 24 January to 5 March 2017 and tickets are now on sale through 021 461 4554, Computicket, 08619158000 or from the Joburg Theatre directly. Given the anticipation about this stellar musical and how the Cape Town season sold out, advance booking is highly recommended. The producers recommend an age restriction of 12 years with parental guidance. ADVANCE BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED. 

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Pieter Toerien presents Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical, to be staged at the Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino, from 29 April to 7 August 2016

Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colours, this magical musical is packed full of unforgettable songs including ANY DREAM WILL DO and CLOSE EVERY DOOR TO ME.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHICOLOR DREAMCOAT stars Earl Gregory (JOSEPH, JC SUPERSTAR,  CATS, SWEENEY TODD) as JOSEPH – the role that launched his career in 2004 (and for which he won the Naledi Award for BEST MALE NEWCOMER) when he was fresh out of TUT! Making a welcome return to our stage is Bianca Le Grange (BLOOD BROTHERS) as the NARRATOR. Musical Theatre fans will be delighted at the news that audience favourite Jonathan Roxmouth (SWEENEY TODD, PHANTOM, CATS, SUNSET BLVD, JC SUPERSTAR, A HANDFUL OF KEYS, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, CALL ME LEE, STAGE BY STAGE, JEEVES & WOOSTER, I’M PLAYING YOUR SONG) will work his magic as the PHAROAH!

The creative team will once again (as in the 2004 production) be headed by Director Paul Warwick Griffin, with Musical Supervision by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Musical Direction by Louis Zurnamer. Choreography will be by David Gouldie.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT features a stunning local cast of 23 of the best musical theatre performers and dancers, and promises to be “A TECHNICOLOR TRIUMPH” for the whole family to enjoy!

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

29 April to 7 August 2016

Wednesdays – Fridays @ 8pm

Saturdays @ 2pm, 5pm & 8pm,

Sundays @ 2:30pm & 5:30pm

Tickets: R350, R250, R150 & R100 with special Group Discounts available – contact Geraldine (011) 511 198

The post Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat appeared first on Stage and Screen.

by Louw Mulder

Set to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the lyrics by Tim Rice, Pieter Toerien Productions, through the direction of Paul Warwick Griffin, once again brought a stellar production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to the stage. This time, this biblical story was a reinvented festival of colorful lights, song and dance, through the energy from the most perfect cast you could’ve assembled.

Thinking back to the opening performance, I clearly remember the astounding lighting design by multi-award winner Gareth Hewitt Williams, who created a world with lights, making this a Technicolor Dreamshow, where not all was just about the coat… The enchanting lighting design, made up of hundreds of colors, contributed immensely to this staging’s rejuvenated magic, and did so quite efficaciously.

The spirit of this production was also captured by the energetic moves on stage and hats off to choreographer Duane Alexander for what he has conjured up. The show’s fast paced and energetic dynamism, exploded in a well-groomed display of perfectly executed choreography, which was a result of harmonious teamwork from every member of this young and professional cast.  The calibre of Alexander’s choreography was world class, as what you’d come to expect from someone with his experience.  Alexander made his Musical Theatre debut in Pieter Toerien’s Production of Cats, in 2001.

Another winner of numerous awards for his musical direction, is Louis Zurnamer, who took this show’s music under his baton.  Together with the musical supervision of Charl-Johan Lingerfelder, they created the audible journey of the magic, with excellence brought to the arrangements, the collaboration of all 12 brother’s voices, and just the overall musical in general. New life was added to familiar songs like Go, go, go Josepeh, Close every door to me, and the most famous of them all, Any Dream will Do.

The cast of this production is a hot and sexy ensemble of South Africa’s elite theatre performers, and also introduces upcoming artists, like Michael McMeeking, who is making his professional debut starring in Joseph.  It was quite evident that talent and fitness were amongst all the other requirements for this show, which brought along an energetic display of their love for theatre.  Ranging from dance captain Darren Greeff, to names like Richard Gau, Louise Duhain, Mila De Biaggi, Emil Haarhoff and Sonwa Sakuba, to mention a few, the whole cast played their parts perfectly, in support of the holistic production.

In the lead roles, were Earl Gregory who played Joseph, and Bianca le Grange as the Narrator. Gregory won the Naledi for best newcomer in 2005 and le Grange took home the Naledi for best female performance in a Musical in 2014, for her performance in Blood Brothers.  With this being said, it is no surprise that Gregory and le Grange was part of the key factors that brought all the multiple elements of this show together.

I have to highlight the performance of Jarryd Nurden who was playing the roles of Issachar and the butler. It was as though he featured in almost every scene, and in doing so, Nurden magnificently showcased his talent, techniques, and versatility, through every different style and genre in this production. Nurden was previously seen in Cats, Starlight Express, and lately, Singin’ in the Rain, which played in the Teatro at Montecasino earlier this year. Most impressive and captivating about Nurden’s performance, was the enjoyment and dedication shown in his eyes and facial impressions, throughout both acts.

Last, but by no means the least, was the performance of Jonathan Roxmouth, who once again showed off why he is the top theatre actor currently in South Africa. As winner of the Best Musical Actor award at this year’s Naledi’s, Roxmouth brought an impeccable performance in the role of the Pharaoh. His experience added to his distinctive style, to the way he captivates the audience, and without effort, making his character the highlight of the show. Playing in Lloyd Webber musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Sunset Boulevard, Phantom of the Opera and now Joseph, there is no doubt that his upcoming album, My Lloyd Webber, will be huge success.

In the end, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat took me to so many different places, stylistically and colorfully. It was a real experience, and a proudly South-African showcase.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will run at the Pieter Toerien Theatre in Montecasino until the 7^th of August.  You can also stand a chance to win one of 5 double tickets to this production.

Go, Go, Go Joseph!

*Photos by Christiaan Kotze

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