(Lisa Bobbert; Lyle
Buxton; Graeme Wicks & Bryan Hyles with (seated)
Jessica Sole & Katy
Moore. Pic by Val Adamson)
Deadline
for discount seats: March 31, 2016
KickstArt is delighted to announce an
exciting bouquet of productions for 2016, to be enjoyed locally in Durban, and
in Cape Town and Gauteng.
First up is Sweeney Todd running until April 16 in Cape Town at Theatre on the
Bay, The production won several Durban Mercury Theatre Awards, including Best
Musical, and is nominated for Joburg’s coveted Naledi Awards following its
highly successful season at Montecasino late last year, which was extended by
two weeks due to public demand. The production stars Jonathan Roxmouth and
Durban favourite, Charon Williams-Ros.
Following the local and national
success of Sweeney Todd, KickstArt
are opening their Durban programme with a brand new production of another
Sondheim classic, Into the Woods.
This moody, magical, thought-provoking musical has long been on director Steven
Stead’s wish-list, and now he and his creative collaborator, Greg King are
realising a dream, bring the first professional production ever to Durban!
Into the
Woods
follows the trials and adventures of a collection of well-known fairy-tale
characters, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Red
Riding Hood. They all go into the deep, dark woods on separate quests, and
their paths cross and intersect with sometimes amusing, sometimes alarming
results.
KickstArt has assembled an all-star
cast for this important production: Frances Currie, now resident in the UK, is
coming out to play the indecisive and under-confident Cinderella, with Liesl
Coppin as her wicked stepmother. Bryan Hiles and Jessica Sole play the central
characters of the Baker and his wife, who have to collect a series of magical
objects over three nights in order to dispel the curse of the eccentric
next-door witch and have a child of their own.
The Witch, a hugely challenging role
first created by Broadway diva Bernadette Peters, and recently played on screen
by Meryl Streep, is played with relish and style by Durban’s own delicious
diva, Lisa Bobbert. Graeme Wicks plays hapless, dreamy jack, with Marion Loudon
as his exasperated, ever-practical mother. Red Ridinghood is played by Katy
Moore, and her nemesis, the ever-lurking Wolf, is played by Lyle Buxton, who
also plays Cinderella’s handsome and seemingly charming Prince. Rapunzel is
played by sweet-voiced Haylea Hounsom, and her prince by exciting newcomer,
Alex Hodges.
Into the
Woods
is directed by Steven Stead, with musical direction by American musical theatre
expert, Drew Rienstra, set design by Greg King, costume designs by Neil Harris,
and lighting by Tina le Roux. It runs from April 15 to May 1 but, despite its
fairytale characters, this musical is aimed at adults, and is not suitable for
children under 8 years old.
In the July holidays, KickstArt will
present two productions aimed at younger audiences: a revival of Shrek, the Musical at the Lyric Theatre
at Gold Reef City, Gauteng, in collaboration with Tsogo Sun, and Winnie the Pooh at the Elizabeth Sneddon
Theatre in Durban.
Shrek stars all
the original Durban cast of principals, Lyle Buxton, Jessica Sole, Jacobus van
Heerden, Rory Booth and Graeme Wicks. It runs from June 24 to July 17. No
children under 4 years old.
Winnie the
Pooh
is a colourful and faithful adaptation of AA Milne’s classic children’s book.
It stars Nhlakanipho Manqele as the much-beloved bear, and quirky Belinda
Henwood as his nervous side-kick, Piglet. Others in the cast include Liesl
Coppin as bossy but motherly Kanga, and Luca Tarboton (Annie in KickstArt’s
2014 production of Annie) as her
mischievous off-spring, Roo. Bryan Hiles plays Tigger, Roo’s bouncy partner in
crime, and Rowan Bartlett plays all-knowing Owl, with Anthony Stonier as
ever-efficient Rabbit. Peter Court plays doleful donkey Eeyore, and directs
this production. Set and costume design is by Greg King. Winnie the Pooh runs from June 30 to July 17. No babes in arms, or
children under 3.
Finally, KickstArt’s much anticipated
contribution to the festive season is the traditional family pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. Inspired by the film Frozen, this magical tale unfolds in a
magical Scandinavian country, all Gothic towers, wreathed with snow, crystal
and ice, and promises a romantic, enchanting adventure for all ages.
It stars Haylea Hounsom as Princess
Rose, with Lyle Buxton as her handsome prince, Robin. Carol Trench makes
another rare and very welcome return to the Durban stage to play her hilarious
and anxiety-ridden mother, Queen Dot, and Peter Court plays her lugubrious,
hard of hearing father, King Frotho the Frosty. Darren King and Graeme Wicks
provide masses of humour as Nurse Nora Knickersnagger and Hucleby Hopscotch the
court jester, and Bryan Hiles reaches new levels of charming silliness as the
cowardly knight, Sir Ninnyliver. The magical forces of good and evil are
splendidly represented by the effervescent Belinda Henwood as Celestina
Sparkle, and Katy Moore as the deliciously evil Maleficent.
Sleeping
Beauty
is directed by Steven Stead, with musical direction by Evan Roberts, set and
costume designs by Greg King, and lighting by Tina le Roux. It runs from December
2 to January 8. No performances Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.
Booking for all 2016 shows at
Computicket: www.computicket.co.za. For block
bookings and exciting Early Bird specials contact Ailsa Windsor of Going
Places: editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com, or 083 250
2690. Until March 31, you can book 10 seats and get them for the price
of 8, for any show in any price range.
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