The Sound of Music #OutAndAbout

The hills are alive with the sound of...  me singing 'Climb ev'ry mountain' all the way down the corridor...

What an incredibly special night out and such an amazing South African production - Pieter Toerien's The Sound Of Music. There is a certain expectation that precedes a classic like this and this production not only meets those expectations but even exceeds them.
The entire production is so well oiled and smooth with beautiful set transitions, truly incredible sound design and wonderful performances from the pro's and the children alike.

There is no doubt that Janelle Visagie, playing Mother Abbess is an absolute crowd favourite. Her delivery of Climb Ev'ry Mountain was just spectacular and a wonderful end to Act 1, which was already jam-packed with all the well-known favourites like Do-Re-Mi, My Favourite Things, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, The Lonely Goatherd and the title song The Sound of Music.
I could listen to the sweet sound of those nuns all day and  I want to make a special mention of my friends and two favourite nuns Genna Galloway (Sister Berthe) and LJ Neilson (Sister Sophia). I thought they were so magical in How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria....

One of the staging choices I loved was the use of the side isles in the Montecasino's Teatro.
Our seats were close to the sides, so it added a thrill and made you feel like you were right in the pews of Nonnberg Abbey when the nuns passed singing during the first scene holding small flickering candles. Or it made you tense and nervous with the gun-holding Nazi's along the sides during Captain Von Trapp's performance of Edelweiss.

Bethany Dickson is marvellous as Maria Rainer and there are moments you feel like it might even be Julie Andrews in the flesh playing opposite the stern and stringent Andre Swartz as Mr Von Trapp. And how brilliant to see such sensational theatre greats as James Borthwick playing the wonderfully animated Max Detweiler, Malcolm Terrey faultless and fabulous as Franz, Rika Sennett as the charming housekeeper Frau Schmidt and Taryn Sudding, beguiling as the wealthy Baroness Schraeder. The children were all really delightful to watch and it does help to have the oh-so talented and gorgeous Carmen Pretorius taking the lead as the eldest Von Trapp child, Liezel.

I do take my hat off to friends Duane Alexander (Resident Choreographer and Children's Director) and Anton Luitingh (Resident Director) who have the responsibility of casting and coaching three complete sets of the 6 younger Von Trapp children who rotate performances. And there is even a full stand-by cast present at the theatre every night 'in case of emergency'. And emergencies do happen! Some of the children are dealing with chicken pocks at the moment and even a few of their adult minders are down, poor things! Oh, the life of an actor! ;)

It is a captivating production that made me feel so proud watching fellow South African performers proving over and over again that they are more than a match for international stages and critics.
My favourite moment and the thought that stayed with me was when Mother Abess tells Maria...
You must find the life you were meant to live... 

Chat soon, 

Call Me Lee #OutAndAbout

Who knew that three gentlemen creating a world of characters around one piano on a black stage, could create such vivid colour and fullness. The production of Call Me Lee showing at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre, with a cast of three powerful performers, Jonathan Roxmouth, Weslee Swain Lauder and Samuel Hyde, had me engaged and enthralled from start to finish. And I just love that there are performers and artists out there brave enough to take the plunge of producing and investing in their own works. It's fantastic to watch original pieces created and produced locally, performed by incredibly gifted local talent and see it succeed and be well supported.

Samuel Hyde, who  plays the roles of Seymour Heller, Scott Thorson and various others, is the youngster of the three performers. Fresh out of Oakfields College, he has an ease and confidence rarely found in performers of his age and experience, and it was great to see him hold his own. With this being the launch of his professional career, there is only promise that lies ahead.




My talented friend and colleague, Weslee Swain Lauder never ceases to amaze me. Weslee plays Frances Liberace, George Liberace, Carlucci and others (including a fabulous frenchman), but I enjoyed the brother George and Liberace's mom especially. Brava Wessy, just superb!
If you read the program, Ian von Memerty (direction and choreography) writes a memoir about the night when the late Doyenne of SA theatre, Joan Brickhill first met Liberace during his South African tour in 1968. Joan and Liberace became life long friends and it is truly special to note that the mink stole Joan wore on the night she first met Lee, is now being worn in this production by Weslee, portraying Lee's mother.

Okay, Jonathan Roxmouth is just ridiculous. I knew he played and that he played well, but I had no idea he could play the piano quite like that! Those liquid fingers bring the sensational Liberace to life and added to that, his wonderfully endearing and sincere character portrayal draws you in, warms your heart and makes you fall in love with the man who would wink and say... 'Call Me Lee'.

It was another special evening at the theatre and I love that we get to expose our mentorship students to quality theatre and have them meet the real people, the working artists behind the characters on stage. Thanks guys and may you have a terrific run!
Call Me Lee is showing until 27 April, go and see it!



And just... Call Me Dee x