If you are a musical theatre fan, sing along to ‘Mein Herr’ and dance the steps to the prologue of West Side Story, you’re in good company. The Fugard Theatre, that continually produces sold out and back-by-popular-demand theatre, is outdoing itself again.
In 2015, the bill at The Fugard gets even juicier. David Kramer (District Six, Kat and the Kings, Blood Brothers) introduces his new musical, Orpheus in Africa. It tells the little known story of the American impresario Orpheus McAdoo who, along with his African-American Virginia Jubilee Singers, visits South Africa in the 1890’s. Kramer’s affinity for historical, heritage rich productions has made him one of South Africa’s most esteemed playwrights, and Orpheus, in content and quality, promises to be no different.
Broadway hits the humble Fugard stage with two smash hit musicals, Cabaret and West Side Story. The talented producers and passionate creators of the Fugard’s runaway hit musical The Rocky Horror Show will be presenting these two prodigious musicals in 2015.
Cabaret, based on the book by Christopher Isherwood, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, is set in a sleazy nightclub in Berlin in 1931. The story follows the life of young cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with the American writer Cliff Bradshaw. First staged on Broadway in 1966, the musical was an instant hit, inspiring numerous productions worldwide, as well as the 1972 film starring Liza Minelli. Needless to say, I’m so glad it’s finally coming to Cape Town, with our own talent recreating it.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is set in the mid-50s in the Upper West Side of New York, an ethnic, blue-collar (working class) neighbourhood. With music by the famed Leonard Bernstein and choreography by Jerome Robbins, the musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Although the gangs may be rivalled, the talent is certainly not.
If Rocky Horror was anything to go by, the productions of these musicals will undoubtedly have the same reception: encore, encore, encore! Seize the day (and the early bird special) and book your coveted seat now, for world-class theatre with local flair.
OF NOTE
Where/When Cabaret will be on the Fugard Theatre Main Stage from 10 March 2015, while West Side Story will run for a limited season in the Artscape Opera House from 23 July to 23 August 2015.
Cost Eager theatre goers can seize the early bird discounts by booking through the Fugard box office on +27 21 461 4554.
Contact +27 21 461 4554, www.thefugard.com
Photographs Courtesy
Such a stunning theatre..a gem of functional art and amazing relic of old cape town.