by Louw Mulder

The Nelson Mandela Stage at the Joburg Theatre made history when it staged the World Premiere of Calling Me Home, presented by Shy Music. This production, 100% local, is one of the finest gems ever produced on an SA Stage. It weaves different cultures, different musical genres, into one classical masterpiece.

Based on her own book, Alice Gillham composed this musical opera, and the true African touch was laudably present throughout both acts, giving this show the patriotic magic we all need in South Africa. It tells the story of Grace, part of an African family, leaving home to live the American dream. A true love tale unfolds when she meets Raphael, and together they face the challenges of war, the underground club scene, as well as death and tragedies along the way.

The music is what will be most bespoke of Calling Me Home. The music and powerful lyrics are a huge force in this production and make for an unforgettable theatrical experience. Characterised by sweet and melodious harmonies, this Pop-meets-Classical African infused musical score, creates a warm and unique depth to its numerous themes. With a cast of 35 of our country’s finest, the intended solo’s, duets, and full African choir sounds, were delivered boldly, yet soft on the ear.

Freshlyground’s Zolani Mahola plays alongside West Side Story’s Lynelle Kenned, who created the perfect Opera and African fusion. With added names to the cast like tenor Musanete Sakupwanya and the classical pop voice of Michael McMeeking, the leading cast was set to bring this score of so many elements together. Disappointedly though, poor sound during the opening night’s performance muffled many of these harmonies, taking away the powerful interpretation of those compositions.

It was however Samantha Peo and Anthony Downing who stole the show, defying all technical odds the production may have been faced with. The finesse, style, and simply the class of Peo accentuated her experience as a performer, evident in the way she consumed the audience’s attention. The same can be said about Downing. The passion and total conviction in his performance, was fervent, hugely attractive, and his talent and abilities even more so.

The collaboration between Peo and Downing, was another great example of a superb Pop vocal, added to a powerful classical tenor’s, to create the perfect, inimitable harmony.  The chemistry in the duets between Downing and Kenned, was just as remarkable, with nothing less that can be said between McMeeking and Downing.

With the calibre and class of Musical Opera, Calling Me Home is, nothing can be taken away from the rest of the cast. Well-known names feature in this show, like Christiaan Snyman, Carly Greame, Pierre van Heerden, Clint Lesch, Tankiso Mamabolo, as well as up and coming talent like Given Nkosi, Zion Zuke, Yollandi Nortjie and Len-Barry Simons. It was also nice to witness the #CallingAStar winners, Dihan Schoeman (18) and Tannah Levick (16), starting to live their musical theatre dream as part of the extra ensemble cast. There is no doubt that the diversity, professionalism and standard of this cast, were key to the success of Calling Me Home.

Justifiably, a lot of work and thought went into the set design, lighting design and production design of this musical, and impressively so. Calling me Home is without a doubt a full scale production, which collectively encapsulate the talent and potential it stages. From gripping, captivating war scenes, to riveting, anxious fighting scenes, even the blissful, enthralling African nature was created in real life to augment the fascination.

Even though the running time of the show is somewhat long, the direction of SA super soprano, Magdalene Minnaar, was focused, detailed, and spellbinding throughout the whole 180 minutes. With Calling Me Home being Minnaar’s international debut as a musical director, she has positioned herself as a force to be reckoned with. In Minnaar’s own words, it is her mission to reinvent the face of classical music in South Africa, and with Calling Me Home, her first step was in fact a giant leap towards this goal.

This production of Calling Me Home is an original, never before staged musical, and besides one or two miniscule teething problems, Minnaar and her team created and presented a South African production, which we all can be immensely proud of.

Calling me Home will be running at the Joburg Theatre until 4 September 2017. Tickets are available at Webtickets or at the theatre.

Click on the images below to see more, with credit to the photography skills of Oscar O’Ryan.

The post Calling Me Home appeared first on Stage and Screen.

South Africans can look forward to the world premiere of the new and original musical, Calling Me Home. It will have a three week run on the Mandela stage at the Joburg Theatre from 17 August 2017 until 3 September 2017. From here, it will tour internationally and open at Artscape Theatre in Cape Town in October 2018.

Calling me Home is a powerful love story of hope, courage, longing and compassion that will resonate with people everywhere. The story itself depicts the journeys of three women who each find their own personal power. Grace (Lynelle Kenned) a young African woman flees her war-torn homeland to try to survive in a country of concrete cityscapes, crime and danger. With her is her friend Lindiwe (Zolani Mahola), who too has fled her home, but in Lindiwe’s case it is a flight from abuse and pain. Finally, there is the beautiful but deeply troubled Isabella (Samantha Peo), who finds the strength and courage to conquer almost insurmountable challenges when she overcomes addiction, both chemical and emotional, to take the moral lead in her community.

In this new, hugely diverse and colourful community, Grace experiences both joy and great danger. She also falls deeply in love and most importantly, learns the true meaning of ‘home’. The work is a global story with far-reaching relevance and it has been described as “epic, sophisticated, heartfelt and sincere.”

The book, score and libretto were written by composer and producer Alice Gillham, who is signed with EMI Music Publishing / Sony/ATV and who lives and works in South Africa. Joining Gillham in bringing this musical to the stage, is director Magdalene Minnaar. According to Minnaar this production has the potential to have a profound impact on the world.

The story of Calling Me Home is character driven and the large cast will each play an important part in the story.

According to Minnaar choosing the right artists was critical as they will have the opportunity to bring their characters to life for the first time. “We have carefully chosen hugely talented singers who bring storytelling energy, creativity and a spirit of adventure to this journey. Their energy is amazing and their talent world-class.”

The complete Southern African cast consists of some of the country’s most celebrated stage performers, well-known personalities and some up-and-coming young stars. It includes, amongst others, Lynelle Kenned (West Side Story), Samantha Peo (Cabaret), Anthony Downing (Phantom of the Opera), Michael McMeeking (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as well as Carly Graeme, Pierre van Heerden, Clint Lesch and Christiaan Snyman. Zolani Mahola will be making her professional debut in Calling me Home.

To stage a musical of this size, some of South Africa’s top production designers have been approached to transport the audience from the vast landscapes of Africa to the buildings and streets of a large metropolis. It will be a theatre experience like few others, blurring the lines somewhat between cinema and musical theatre.

Nadine and Louis Minnaar, Werner Burger and Joshua Cutts are responsible for creating the dynamic, light-based set that utilises 3D projection mapping, animation and lighting effects to create a highly impactful audience experience that seamlessly transitions between scenes. The set has been specifically designed to be transported effortlessly as the production tours to different countries.

One of the big challenges for a musical of this scale, is to develop an authentic original wardrobe for the cast. Taking on this essential task, is top stylist, Juanita Køtzé from The Rare Librarian. Køtzé will bring together a group of talented young designers, who, together with established fashion icons, will create a unique wardrobe for each individual character; one that supports their development and performance.

Calling me Home

 The Mandela at the Joburg Theatre

17 August 2017 until 3 September 2017

Tuesdays to Fridays at 20:00

Saturdays at 15:00 and 20:00

Sundays at 14:00 and 18:00

Tickets sell from R180 to R420

For tickets call 0861 670 670 or book online at www.joburgtheatre.com

For group bookings of 10 or more tickets, contact the Theatre’s ticketing office on (011) 877 6853/4

Cape Town information to follow….

A selection of songs, recorded by the original cast, are gradually being introduced to the public. The song ‘Tomorrow’ sung by Lynelle Kenned, was released on social media platforms, as well as to radio stations such as Classic FM, Fine Music Radio and RSG. The response to the music has been overwhelming and other songs will be released in the near future. Listen to the song Tomorrow from Act 1, Scene 1, as performed by Lynelle Kenned, to hear what is to come.

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