November 13, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
AN ageless story of love, romance, friendship, honesty, and valour is the Joburg Promusica Theatre's Christmas offering.
Rapunzel: A Towering Tale is filled with "heaps of exciting chases, chills and thrills", says Prisha Singh, the marketing and communications manager at the Florida Park theatre. There will be magic and mystery, scares and spells and jolly good fun, she says.
The musical runs from Friday, 16 November until Saturday, 8 December. The storyline follows the classic Grimm Brothers fairytale about a beautiful young girl who is taken away from her parents and locked in a tower by a wicked witch.
In this version, Grotesca, the witch, takes Rapunzel to a dreary wood where she is put in a very high tower with no way up or down. She grows an impressive head of hair, which Grotesca uses to climb up into the tower – the cry, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your golden hair," is a well-known one.
Remaining true to the old fairytale tradition of magic and adventure, the play "promotes a healthy imagination while teaching children a lesson or two", Singh notes.
However, the Promusica production does have a fresh angle and a uniquely South African element to make it something that is truly homegrown and proudly South African. With the scripts written by Hein Van Zyl and the music directed by Dawid Boverhoff and Pieter Bosch Botha, the play will "bring this beautiful story to life in the most vibrant, exciting and youthful way possible".
"As any classic fairytale should have a charming prince, this story introduces us to the very young but also very brave Princie Normus, who, upon seeing Rapunzel, makes it his life's mission to rescue her from the Treacherous Tower and Grotesca," she explains.
There is also Dixie and Trixie Pixie, two mischievous - but good – magical characters, and Grotesca's sidekick, Mildew, who has fungus growing on his back. The play is set against a colourful background coupled with elegant costumes.
It is a journey into a world that will enchant, surprise, and mesmerise children and parents alike, Singh explains, adding that the music is delightful and will appeal to all. "Rapunzel is enchanting and differs from other kids shows in that it is very spectacular, with glorious sets, costumes and lights.
"We have flying forests, fabulous farms and a very treacherous tower that stretches six metres into the sky."
Children will also be invited to sing along to their favourite tunes. "In addition to being a spectacular piece of educational entertainment, the [play] will also give children a chance to experience the magic of live theatre."
Rapunzel, Promusica's Christmas offering, is an ageless story of love and valour
There is plenty of scope for audience interaction and participation, "making room for tons of laughter and joy from both parents and teachers".
Zenande Mfenyana plays the main character; Botha Enselin is Grotesca, the witch; and Gordon Van Der Spuy is Princie Normus and Mildew. The cast includes Johnny Klein as The Gingerbread Man and Estelle Kriek as Noddy.
It is in English, with a blend of Afrikaans and isiZulu.
Rapunzel: A Towering Tale runs from Friday, 16 November until Saturday, 8 December at the Joburg Promusica Theatre. Performances are at 9am and 11am on weekdays during school terms and at 11.30am and 2.30pm on Saturdays and public holidays.
During school holidays performances are at 11.30am. Tickets are R60 each and bookings can be made at Computicket.
The Joburg Promusica Theatre is on Christiaan de Wet Drive in Florida Park, Roodepoort, in western Johannesburg. For more information contact Queen Mooki on 011 674 1356/7 or Pieter Bosch Botha on 073 769 4747.
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