The Performing Arts Network of South Africa
KZN (PANSA) has announced that the 13th annual Rainbow Young Performers Project
for 2013 is the original production, Can
You Feel It?, written and directed by Peter Court and Charon Williams-Ros,
which will be at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from June 29 until July 14.
Spearheaded by PANSA (the Performing Arts
Network of South Africa: KZN, the project ensures that the pupils get a taste
of working in the professional arena; an idea of the manner in which a play
develops from rehearsals to the construction of the sets; and most of all
plenty of hard work. Rehearsals began in May with the cast meeting every
weekend until the opening night. The programme promotes discipline, develops
confidence, and gives an opportunity to make lifelong friendships, to learn a
huge amount from the professionals and have a whole lot of fun at the same
time!
The Rainbow Young Performers production
2013 is currently in rehearsal. This year’s production of Can You Feel It? sees a departure from the traditional familiar
book musical in favour of something a little different. “Part of the publicity
campaign is an element of secrecy but we can tell you that there’s great
singing, dance, and physical theatre with a distinct Cirque du Soleil feel. The storyline, however, relates to South
African life and some of the issues facing our youth,” says Charon
Williams-Ros.
Almost 400 aspirant performers arrived for
the auditions in April with a couple of bus-loads from Hammarsdale (courtesy of
Rainbow). This year four talented kids from Rainbow Star schools are part of
the cast which features popular local actor, Rory Booth, as the professional
this year. The rest of the cast is made up of young talent from a host of
Durban schools (as well as three talented girls from one pro-active
Pietermaritzburg school), all prepared to sacrifice every weekend for three
months to be part of this amazing project.
Reports are thatrehearsals are going
extremely well! The performers are responding to the ‘colouring outside the
lines’ approach to theatre and are growing in confidence at each rehearsal.
Can
You Feel It? will run at the Elizabeth Sneddon
Theatre from June 29 until July 14. Booking is through Computicket.
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