The KickstArt team of Steven Stead and Greg King never cease
to amaze me. Stephen’s director/acting talents and Greg’s design capacities
never fail to create a production that is of top quality.
The latest The Emperor’s New Clothes, the South African première of this
family musical, is no different. It is important to remember that this is a “musical”,
not a “pantomime” so youngsters should not expect the normal nonsense that
makes up pantomimes.
This afternoon’s performance at the Elizabeth Sneddon
Theatre on UKZN campus was hugely enjoyed by the near-capacity audience mainly
made up of youngsters from the age of 5 to their caring mums, dads or
grandparents.
The musical is a version of the famous Hans Christian
Anderson fairytale by Broadway stalwarts Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. It’s
about a young man who has become an Emperor but has not the slightest idea how
he is going to handle the new responsibility. A beautiful and touching performance
by Daniel Anderson.
Providing the drama – and splendidly so – is Roland Perold
as The Swindler. He is also the Musical Director of the show. Sadly, we will
lose him in September when he goes to the US having been accepted into The
University of California.
Another top-notch performance comes from Mthokozisi Zulu as
Arno, the scrub boy.
Durban theatre favourites Marion Loudon and Lyle Buxton
provide much of the humour as the Head of the Imperial Wardrobe and the Emperor’s
Chief Advisor.
Rounding off this excellent cast list are the young ladies
who play the villagers - Keryn Scott, Amahle Tembe and Roshanda Lewis.
The costumes are splendid and the lighting and sound as
excellent as you would expect from a KickstArt production.
So, get moving and book your tickets as there are only a few
performances left until the show closes on July 7. Performances are at 14h30 and last 65 minutes.
Book for all KickstArt’s 2024 shows at WEBTICKETS.
Visit www.kickstarttheatre.co.za for more details and to make bookings.
To see the press release visit http://news.artsmart.co.za/2024/05/the-emperors-new-clothes.html - Caroline Smart
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