The Crucible #OutAndAbout

What an incredible thrill to have watched such a star-studded incredibly talented cast performing the set-work production of The Crucible at UJ Arts Centre last night. Man, I just love the theatre, there is something so magical about a live performance created only for the pleasure and provocation of one group of people lucky enough to witness that one fleeting performance that will never quite be the same the next night or the next.

I have to say I was really excited to see this play (in spite of its heavy content), firstly to watch and support friends performing the work but also because I haven't seen a straight play in ages and was hungry for a classical piece of dramatic work.


This poignant Arthur Miller piece written in 1953 was presented in a way that drew me in and had me emotionally involved from start to finish. Particularly when I take into account that the play set during the Salem Witch trials of 1692, is based on actual events where the vindictiveness of human nature fueled enraged religious witch hunts.

The sheer brilliance of the direction, performances and creative elements is testament to true theatrical talents in our country and for me as an actress, it had me metaphorically salivating to not only personally be doing work like this but also to watch more productions of its nature and quality. 

Gimme more layered dual characterizations, more pure unadulterated theatre and more timeless classic plays!

The direction by Alby Michaels blew me away with a wonderful blend of professional talents and up-and-coming UJ students. It was such a pleasure to watch friends Neels Clasen, Cindy Swanepoel and Jacques Bessenger performing this kind of material and I thoroughly enjoyed each of their performances. Jacques Bessenger astounded me in his dual roles of Reverend John Hale and Reverend Parris; his transitions felt seamless and his fleshed out characters captivating. Neelsie, Neelsie... what can I say.. a man of many talents, Neels Clasen as John Proctor.. it's hard not to shed a tear when this mighty man breaks down and weeps on his knees in a bed of autumn leaves - powerful. I know Cindy Swanepoel mostly from her comedy work and it was delightful to see her tackle both demanding roles of Abigail and Elizabeth Proctor with such fervor. It was my first time seeing Lebohang Motaung (Mr Thomas Putnam, Giles Corey and Givenor Danforth) as well as Chan Marti (Mrs Putnam and Rebecca Nurse) perform and they were both excellent in their dual portrayals. I thought the students held their own with a particular stand out performance by Thobile Makukule as Tituba. 

Wow, the set by Wilhelm Disbergen - so beautifully simplistic and clever, magical lighting by Oliver Hauser (watched him since school and just love the work he's doing). The incredible masks were designed by friends Toni Morkel and Rob Pombo - eek please can I have one? and brilliant costume design by Jo Glanville - go Jo!

It's fun to see so many friends' creative work showcased and I feel a sense of 'big sister' pride in their successes. AND it's always a pleasure to have our mentorship graduate FADlings along who continue to grow together with us - Roelien, Morne (aka James!) and Michaela - Love you guys!

This piece is quoted in the program: 

"[W]e conceive the Devil as a necessary part of a respectable view of cosmology. Ours is a divided empire in which certain ideas and emotions and actions are of God, and their opposites are of Lucifer. it is as impossible for most men to conceive of a morality without sin as of an earth without a 'sky'. Since 1692 a great but superficial change has wiped out God's beard and the Devil's horns, but the world is still gripped between two diametrically opposed absolutes. The concept of unity, in which positive and negative are attributes of the same force, in which good and evil are relative, ever-changing, and always joined to the same phenomenon - such a concept is still reserved to the physical sciences and to the few who have grasped the history of ideas." Arthur Miller THE CRUCIBLE

I believe there may be only one performance left on this Saturday 15.00 at UJ Arts Centre so get onto Computicket or contact the UJ Arts Centre offices during working hours. For more information call 011 559 3058011 559 3058 or e-mail preciousm@uj.ac.za. Tickets are R80, R70 for pensioners and R50 for students - nothing! Go see it! (But take tissues and wear waterproof mascara)

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Chat soon guys!

I Have Life #OutAndAbout

Do any of you remember the December 1994 news story about the women Alison Botha, who was abducted in PE by two men, raped, stabbed and disemboweled; finally left for dead with her head nearly severed from her body after 16 stab wounds to her neck. And she survived.
Miraculously Alison dragged herself to the middle of the road nearby and was rescued by veterinary student Tiaan Eilerd and later also some incredible doctors, who had no idea how she could still be alive.
Her story is one with so much wonder, shock, awe, courage, belief and inspiration.

Over the weekend Ferdinand and I took a few of the FADCreationS mentorship students to watch the theatrical portrayal of this woman's story at the Sandton Auto and General Theatre on the Square  I Have Life - Alison's Journey.  I knew it was going to be heavy, but I did not expect to be quite so moved, shaken and inspired.

The wonderfully effective and minimalist set and lighting is the work of the talented Denis Hutchinson. The piece was adapted and directed by Maralin Vanrenen and the role of Alison is portrayed by Suanne Braun. And the wonderful supporting cast of 4 are Shaeleen Tobin, Zak Hendrikz, Clayton Boyd and David De Beer.

It is not an easy watch, it takes you right to that moment with her, makes you wonder what you would have done, makes you ask a multitude of questions, it has you disgusted, disturbed, in awe and perplexed. It has you fighting tears without success and wrenches deep empathy not only for the ordeal she went through but for everything that comes after and how often that torture is what most 'victims' don't overcome.
Alison's message speaks of her own personal ABC's, Attitude, Belief and Choice. These things combined can be what pulls us through the worst of circumstances; it is our choice, it is our attitude and it is our unrelenting belief that can make all the difference.

Suanne Braun with the real Alison, who has been supporting the piece I Have Life avidly and will be attending the final performances this week.

What was so profound to me was that in spite of multiple stab wounds to her neck and it being almost completely severed, none of her vital arteries or vocal chords were damaged; in spite of multiple stab wounds to her abdomen and genitalia, none of her vital organs were punctured or damaged, and Alison was still able to have children (two boys). Her survival and recovery was nothing short of a miracle.

There were powerful performances in this piece and I will always make mention of my friend and insanely talented actor Zak Hendrikz, who takes on the difficult challenge of portraying Alison's main attacker Frans, night after night (among other characters). But then I need to take a moment in order to wax lyrical about the profound brilliance that is Shaeleen Tobin. If I thought I would walk out of the theatre dry eyed, I was sorely mistaken. Shaeleen's emotional portrayal of both Alison's mom and best friend had me spilling over every time, she draws you in and makes you feel whether you want to or not. She is so real and honest and engaging. She is just something else and someone I can only attempt to aspire to as an actress. Thank you Daphne Kuhn and Maralin Vanrenen for braving such an impactful and important story and piece.

I thought I might walk out feeling morbid and disillusioned by the cruelty there is in this world. Instead I felt moved. I felt moved to do more, to be more and to believe more. To believe in my own capabilities, realising that we are infinitely stronger and more able than we think.

"No matter the circumstances, you always control your attitude, your beliefs and the choices you make..." Alison

Chat soon,

Reik Na Die Sterre - Official Opening! #OutAndAbout

Sunday 13 July 2014, marked the official media opening of Reik Na Die Sterre - die Grootste Afrikaanse Musical Nog ooit!
What an incredibly special and memorable evening!

It was possibly one of the proudest moments I have had in honour of my wonderfully talented husband, Ferdinand Gernandt, who co-produced, wrote, choreographed and directed this original, top-quality production by The Smash Hit Company. (#reiknadiesterre)



Having just landed back in SA from two weeks in the States, I had not seen any of the progress while away and even when I had seen bits and pieces of technical runs days before, I wasn't prepared for the amazing responses from the audience or the glow of joy and pride I would feel watching the final product on the day of the VIP event.
Before the show, hubby gave an opening welcome speech with such grace and sincerity - and with his words of love and gratitude aimed at his easy-to-tear-up wife, I was nearly a blurry mess before it even began.

It was such a wonderful pleasure being styled by my 'go-to' team at The Follicle Hair Atelier in Brooklyn for the event (012 435 8777) and also to have them all attend!
(They looked dashing, sporting their 'Stiki' bow-tie wooden accessories!)

Inspired by a Charlize Theron red-carpet look, we opted for an 'old hollywood glamour' feel for both hubby and I.

 It worked perfectly with my gorgeous black beaded dress for the evening, courtesy of Nerine Pienaar from The Warderobe Studio (Also Warderobe Designer for #reiknadiesterre) in conjunction with Just for Tonight Josephine.

The exceptional cast featured in this production, delivered phenomenal performances on Opening. I really could start mentioning favourites but would probably end up listing the full company.
 Let me at least mention the lead actors by name - Willem Botha, Kristen Raath, Tristin Focherini, Neels Clasen, Kenneth Meyer, Richard van der Westhuizen and Sarah Theron, who each in their own right bring passion, commitment and enormous talent to the stage.
There are truly exceptional dancers in the cast and brilliant cameo and supporting character performances each engaging the audience to tears or roaring laughter.
(Not to mention the ridiculous eye-candy for guys and gals alike!)

Moments I especially enjoy are the high-energy and intense company dance numbers such as Beat of My Heart, Ek Reik Na Die Sterre, Carry On (an epic male tap number) and Fight For Love as well as fabulous comic or sincere and heart-wrenching scenes or songs like Die Hart van my Moeder and Ruiter van die Windjie.

Other wow moments are created by the flashy bmx's that the 'paperboys' get around in, which become part of the elaborate and exciting choreographic plotting.

The set is gorgeous and wonderfully woven into the story as to form a whole character on its own. Murray Lubbe; as well as the majestic lighting design by Johan Ferreira with powerfully lit moments in many of the military scenes, especially Op Die Vlerk van n Spier Wit Duif. Mention must be made of Marlee van der Merwe, who was responsible for the impeccable vocal direction of the company.
This is only further complimented by the mood-setting and fresh new musical arrangements of old favourites by

It was heart-warming to see several youngsters and families in the auditorium, as well as many well-known public faces, media and critics. The buzz surrounding #reiknadiesterre leading up to that day did not disappoint and has only been fueled by a flutter of social media responses after Sunday. It's great to read so many kind and positive responses as well as constructive feedback. Read some on the Reik Na Die Sterre Facebook Page and here is a link to the Beeld Review.

With only 4 weeks of running at The State Theatre Opera now under way, the time is going to fly by!

 They are already experiencing high increases in ticket sales, so jump in!
(Tickets are available now at Computicket @ R250 per ticket.)

Go and support this superb cast and company!
Go and #reiknadiesterre!!!

BPSE 2014 '96000' - Where Your Treasure Lies #Projects

We were so blessed with a wonderful group of incredible talents this year and if I may be so bold - I believe each one of them had a deeply impacting and life changing experience in the short space of time together - approximately 70 jam packed hours in 2 weeks. The Broadway Performance Showcase Experience workshop is intense, it is hard work, it is intimate and it is grueling.. but somehow it has the power to positively influence young individuals in such a significant way, something we can't orchestrate or plan - it just happens. 

At BPSE, you experience unnerving auditions, grueling vocal sessions, exciting studio recordings, exhausting dance rehearsals, detailed acting, plotting and staging and finally putting together a production in a top class theatre and learning what it takes to put up a musical theatre production from start to finish. But more than that, you experience the unity and bond of a tight-knit cast, how wonderfully positive and uplifting we can be in this industry and how many others share your passions, your talents, your dreams and hopes. A BPSE Grad will never forget the experience, the friends made and the lessons learnt. 

This is what one of our talented cast members of the BPSE 2014 production '96000' had to say a few days after our final day of the Broadway Performance Showcase Experience.

Roelien Prinsloo Message

Three of our candidates have been scouted by agents (can not reveal names yet) and will most probably be contacted and signed in the next month. One of our candidates was all set to go and study to become a chartered accountant and now stands on the edge of a major career and life changing decision having been ignited and inspired to follow his heart and passion. Many of our candidates are about to leave school and enter tertiary education, and have received invaluable input and guidance in their degree, diploma and institution choices. 

I believe one of the most valuable and memorable parts of our workshop to be the two hour Q and A session with high profile industry professionals from various job designations, sharing their hearts as well as their years of invaluable knowledge, expertise, networks and personal learnings. Every year it leaves me inspired and moved and excited about our industry, the people in it and especially those about to enter the wonderful world of theatre, screen, music and the performing arts.

BPSE has grown to be more than just an idea or a project, it has become a formidable team, passionate about providing this platform, in this way, to the many young impressionable artists out there; it has become a family of BPSE Grads all linked by what they love to do and committing themselves to be the very best versions of themselves.

We are so #grateful for a very successful two weeks of BPSE 2014 and the final performances of '96000 - Where Your Treasure Lies' at the Atterbury Theatre. 

To know more about the annual Broadway Performance Showcase Experience hosted by FADCreationS click here. 

These great pics from the production are courtesy of Photo Elements. 

Chat soon, 

We Will Rock You - A Tribute #FlashbackFriday

I recently learnt that We Will Rock You UK will be playing to its final house on 31 March 2014. So I decided to reminisce and pay tribute to my own seasons of performing in this epic musical, in South Africa.
From the We Will Rock You FB Page:
"GOODBYE EVERYBODY...WE'VE GOT TO GO"
#WeWillRockYou to close on the 31st May 2014 at London's Dominion Theatre after a victorious 12 year reign! More Info & Tickets: http://bit.ly/wwryclosing
Co-creators Brian May, Roger Taylor and Ben Elton had this to say: "We want to thank every one of the many hundreds of incredible musical theatre artists, musicians and crew with whom we've had the privilege of working at the Dominion since 2002. And of course the incredible audiences who have rewarded them with over four and a half thousand standing ovations!”

It's truly special to be acknowledged by Queen and the creators in this way.
I was very blessed to be a part of the debut cast in South Africa in 2006, when we performed seasons of the production in Johannesburg's Civic Theatre (now Joburg Theatre Complex's Nelson Mandela Theatre), Cape Town's Artscape Theatre and Durban's Playhouse Opera. I also joined the New Zealand tour at the end of 2007. We Will Rock You happens to be the musical in which my husband and I got engaged (on top of Table Mountain, Cape Town) and also toured NZ together shortly after our wedding and honeymoon. So it is such a mile marker for me with many incredibly happy memories.
Here is a Wiki link if you would like to read more about the musical:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Will_Rock_You_(musical)

That's me far right next to Galileo,
this was a press photo taken at
Auckland's Civic Theatre.

.

Here are the SA Galileo's Francois (1st cast Gal),
Ferdinand and Shaun. 

In the first SA season, Ferdinand (hubby) was one of the two Galileo understudies. He was lucky enough to perform the role for a whole month and later twice weekly, when our lead struggled with some vocal chord trouble, and he made a wonderful Gal.

Our SA Scaramouche's were Helen (1st cast Scarra),
Talia and Sivan (understudies).

My Bohemian character was called Jackson 5 and I was an ensemble member playing everything from a Gaga Kid to a Bohemian and a 'Yuppy' as they were dubbed - basically one of the Killer Queen's underlings.  I remember learning the Yuppy numbers for the first time and thinking - 'will my hamstrings ever be the same again?' My favourite number to perform was Fat Bottomed Girls, getting out of hand with a pink feather duster is always fun and I loved listening to the character Oz (or Meat) perform a Hand Above The Water every night. 

In the touring version I also played one of the 'Find Me Somebody To Love' Gaga Girls and even went on as a Gaga teacher a couple of times. 

Here are some 'behind the scenes' show pics..

The Gaga Girls who give Scarra a hard time...  

    ...and my Bohemian character Jackson 5.

The Alto's in the booth singing live along
with Oz and Brit on stage..
check out my stocking cap...sexy!

The Gaga kids during the costume
fitting (thus no make-up), those wigs are 
sooooo uncomfortable!   

...And a group of Bohemians in the dressing
 rooms at the Auckland Civic, such epic times!

                     

                                             

Baby and I, 

he was called Cliff Richard 

and Ferdinand was hysterical as Cliff... 

what a privilege to have been able to do so 

many shows together and tour 

to other countries, so blessed.

    

      

Me as teacher & hubby as student Gal..
 role-play?

       We Will Rock You will be a special show for many of the artists who were lucky enough to be cast in this show, to work with the creatives involved and to feel part of something that celebrates not only the theatre piece but all of the work created by Queen and the message it holds. It truly feels like you're part of something bigger than yourself and honouring the memory of Freddie and those lost along the way. Theatre has that power, to make you feel something significant - not only for audience members but sometimes even more so for those in the production of it, on stage and off.

With our touring Galileo Mig Ayesa on closing night in NZ. 

New Zealand was such an amazing tour, I loved the city of Auckland! In SA we don't walk anywhere, purely for safety and distances traveled. In Auckland hubby and I would go and do our grocery shopping at midnight after the show (because there places do in fact stay open that late) and we'd walk all the way there from the theatre through town. We lived on Burger Fuel burgers and sweet potato chips, (right around the corner from the theatre) oh my word yum! We even thought of bringing a franchise to SA at one stage. Another indulgence was TimTams of all flavours, it became like a cast ritual to drink hot coffee through the ends of a TimTam.

A couple of us were lucky enough to travel to Taupo on a day off and go bungee jumping! What an experience, I'd do it again in a heartbeat! We also got to see more of Auckland in a small aircraft flight and visited the Orakei Korako Geyserland, a valley of geysers and hot springs.

Getting ready to jump!

Travelling is such a love and indulgence for me and really is one of the incredible benefits of travelling in our line of work. I really hope to be offered (or create) more touring opportunities whilst doing what I love, and with the pre-requiste of having my hubby with me of course!

Here's to the fun of #FlashbackFridays and to building happy memories in life.. Never settle for less.
Love,