(Rae Du Plooy, Andrew Sutton, Joshua Arnold & Joshua
Milne)
This July,
Durban audiences can enjoy the story of pioneering Rhythm and Blues legend, Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story at the
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from July 23 to August 7.
Catalina
UnLtd, continuing in the great tradition, presents the smash-hit musical, Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story. This
production, under the capable direction of Themi Venturas, brings together a
top professional team including Daisy Spencer (choreographer and co-director),
Des Govender (vocal coach), Dawn Selby (musical director), Megan Levy (sound
engineer), Michael Broderick (lighting design) Clinton and Ronel Stevenson (AV
design) and Black Coffee Productions, all of whom will contribute to making
this a musical theatre experience of the highest standard.
Durban has a
fine tradition of musical theatre youth development projects. It began in the
early days of South Africa’s new democracy with what was then known as the VW
MusicActive programme. During this time, Durban audiences enjoyed the best of local
young musical theatre performers in productions like Hair and Siyajema.
This was
followed up by 15 years of the Young Performers Project, which has operated
under different guises and funders, bringing the region productions such as Curtain Up, One Voice, Grease, Annie, The
Wiz, Oliver!, Fiddler on the Roof, School of Rock SA, Big River, Hairspray,
Seussical, Can you Feel it?, Footloose, and Soldiers in the City.
High school
learners were auditioned around the KZN province and those selected are
certainly the cream of the 2016 crop. There are 21 talented young performers
all of whom can sing, dance and act. Learners selected are from Durban High
School, Glenwood High School, Westville Girls High School, Queensburgh Girls
High School, Durban Girls High School, Kingsway High School, Roseway Waldorf
School, Curro Hillcrest Christian Academy, Skethuxolo High School, St Mary’s
High School, and Umhlanga College.
Durban fans
will remember the smash hit show that toured South Africa with Craig Urbani as
Buddy Holly. In the lead role of Buddy Holly for this version, is accomplished
DHS learner, Joshua Arnold.
The show is
filled with toe tapping hits including Buddy Holly classics like That’ll be the
day, Everyday, Oh Boy! Maybe Baby, Peggy
Sue, Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace, Ritchie Valens’ smash hit La Bamba and
Chuck Berry’s Johnny B Goode.
Audiences can expect a rocking and rollicking fun show that tells the story of
an amazing music industry legend whose life was tragically cut short.
The fine
tradition of youth musical theatre continues with a new version entitled
#MusicalTheatreAlive produced by Catalina UnLtd as part of their capacity
building development programme funded by the Ethekwini Municipality, the KZN
Department of Arts & Culture, and RCL Foods.
Buddy: the Buddy Holly
Story is
presented by arrangement with DALRO, representing Joseph Weinberger Limited,
London on behalf of David Spicer Productions, and all authorised performance
materials have been supplied by DALRO (Pty) Ltd., www.dalro.co.za
Buddy: the Buddy Holly
Story runs at the
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from July 23 to August 7 at 19h00. Tickets R120 (R70
for discounted performances on July 23 at 14h30 and 19h00 and on July 24 at 14h30).
Schools performances
on July 29 and August 2 and 4 at 14h30 (R50 per learner) - booking through email
info@catalinatheatre.com
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