ArtWrap - Artslink.co.za
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This week in Gauteng – January 28 to February 5 Jennifer de Klerk: The Phantom of the Opera is here … this year is the 25th anniversary of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical The Phantom of the Opera. Productions are being staged around the world. It has been seen by more than 100 million people since it first opened in London in 1986. Now, after a sell-out three-month season in Cape Town, which had to be extended, it’s our turn. The role of the Phantom is being taken in Joburg by Jonathan Roxmouth, who also did many of the Cape Town performances. Originally the role was given to Andre Schwartz, but he had to withdraw to rest his voice. It’s no small undertaking. The Phantom, of course, is a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House and falls obsessively in love with the beautiful Christine. To hide his face, he wears a white half mask which had to be specially made and fitted for each actor. It takes an hour or more to put on for each performance and 40 minutes or so to take off. Another iconic moment of the musical is the fall of the chandelier at the end – a massive replica of the Paris Opera House chandelier travels with the show, made up of 6 000 beads and 80 lights. Others in the cast are Anthony Downing (Raoul), Robin Botha and Magdalene Minnaar (Christine), James Borthwick (Monsieur Firmin), Jason Ralph (Monsieur Andre), Pauline du Plessis and Hanlee Louw (Carlotta), Angela Kilian (Madame Giry) and Thabiso Masemene (Piangi). The Phantom of the Opera is now at the Teatro at Montecasino and tickets are selling fast. In Pieter Toerien’s Theatre at the complex is the mystery thriller The Mousetrap, another world-beater entering its 60th year on the stage. In the Studio, Andre the Hilarious Hypnotist is selling out too. Another sell-out is the hugely energetic Woza Albert at the Market Theatre until next Sunday. Yellowman also finishes then, but the intense Border War drama, Somewhere on the Border has another week until January 12. This show is also going well. At the Joburg Theatre, Dusty – the Story, with PJ Powers, has been postponed indefinitely, but the musical tribute show The Abba Show has another week until Sunday. Belgian comedian Gaetan Schmid is exploring Body Language at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square this week, ending on Sunday, February 5. The Johannesburg Mozart Festival is in full swing with concerts, recitals, workshops and master classes at various venues, including the Linder Auditorium. The Barnyard theatres are also active, with Rough Diamonds & Divas in Boksburg, six decades of rock ‘n roll in The Final Countdown in Cresta and Big Top Rock, with circus acts, in Menlyn. Jennifer de Klerk is editor of Artslink.co.za. For more information on these shows and other events nationwide see www.artslink.co.za This week in Gauteng is carried in print in the Saturday Star. |
