(Ralph
Lawson)
The Playhouse Company is holding April
auditions in Durban and Johannesburg for versatile performers to be among the
stellar cast of an exciting, new staging of one of the most loved of musicals –
Disney’s tuneful family spectacle, the sumptuous Beauty and the Beast.
An all-new production, laden with romance,
enchantment and magic created by a top-notch creative team, is poised to become
the must-see show of the year when it runs at Durban’s Playhouse Opera theatre
from November 20 to December 29, 2019.
Featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by
Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Wolverton, the glittering new
production will be directed by the award-winning Ralph Lawson, whose many
credits include directing such Playhouse Company successes as West Side Story and My Fair Lady. Choreography for Beauty
and the Beast will be by the iconic Adele Blank.
The hit Broadway production of “the tale as
old as time” premiered in 1994, three years after the release of the
multiple-award-winning Disney animated film which inspired the stage musical.
That movie became the first animated feature film to be nominated for the Best
Picture Oscar.
A 2017 live-action movie remake of the
musical was also hugely successful, featuring a stellar cast including Audra
MacDonald, Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson
and Stanley Tucci.
Featuring such popular songs as the
romantic title chart-topper, the joyously theatrical Be Our Guest and the swaggering and comical Gaston, Beauty and the Beast tells of a cold and
selfish prince. He is turned into a towering beast but, through his growing
friendship with a kind and caring young woman that he imprisons in his
enchanted castle, learns the error of his ways. The musical is a veritable
feast of fun and fantasy for the whole family!
Auditions for Beauty and the Beast, the flagship production of the Playhouse
Company’s festive season treats, will be held in Durban on Monday, April 22
(Family Day) and in Johannesburg on Thursday, April 25.
Roles require versatile performers who
sing, act and dance. Please dress accordingly.
A song from Beauty and the Beast would be preferable for the vocal audition,
but a suitable number from any Broadway musical would suffice. Those
auditioning will need to provide relevant sheet music for the pianist should
they choose to audition with a song other than from Beauty and the Beast.
Note:
Those auditioning should take along a CV and a head and shoulder photograph of
themselves.
Bookings for auditions are essential. No
walk-ins will be permitted.
To book to audition in Durban on Monday,
April 22: Contact Kipi Skweyiya at 031 369 9463 during office hours (09h00 to
13h00) from Monday to Thursday, April 15 to 18, only. Note that no voice-mail
messages will be returned. This is a dance and singing audition.
To book to audition in Johannesburg on
Thursday, April 25: Contact Kipi Skweyiya at 031 369 9463 during office hours
(09h00 to 13h00) on Monday, April 22, or Tuesday, April 23, only. Note that no
voice-mail messages will be returned. There are no callback dates at this
stage. This is a dance and singing audition.