WITH a cast ranging in age from eight to 68, and songs spanning 90 years, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society aims to take theatre-lovers on a musical journey through the decades with its production From Page to Stage.
Devised and directed by stalwart of the Port Elizabeth theatre community, Rose Cowpar, Page to Stage will showcase over 40 musical numbers from some of the world's best-loved musicals.
These include My Fair Lady, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver, The Secret Garden, The Wizard of Oz, Sweeny Todd and Showboat.
Named Page to Stage, as all the numbers are based on much-loved novels, poems and plays, the production sports a cast of 30.
With tickets now on sale, Cowpar says the production is perfect for those who love a good show as well as those who have never ventured through the doors of a theatre.
"We are urging people to support local talent. We have kids from PE who are performing both nationally as well as internationally. Judy Page recently said that PE was the bread basket of South African talent and we would love people to support that talent."
The talent Cowpar talks of includes musical director Richard Campbell and soloists Jody Butler, Liske Potgieter and Bronwyn Maree, who thrilled audiences in last year's The Pirates of Penzance.
When it comes to young talent, Cowpar cannot contain her excitement when talking about two of her youngest performers – Serena Escola and Georgia-Rose Palmer.
Just eight and 10-years-old respectively, Cowpar says the girls are her, "one take girls" – little performers who are able to get what she wants done in just one take.
"Sometimes I wish it was as easy with the older cast members," she quipped.
Both Serena and Georgia-Rose are performing solo's that Cowpar describes as, "performances beyond their tender years".
Choreography for the show has taken a slightly different tack this year with four of the cast members tackling the task, something Cowpar says has worked wonderfully.
She explained that each choreographer chose pieces that held special significance for them and then worked with cast members on the numbers.
Well-known choreographers Bennie Gerber and Andrea Morris will choreograph dances from hit shows such as Superstar from Jesus Christ Superstar, Disco Inferno, America from West Side Story and 42nd Street.
They will be joined by Stageworld students Emily Bradley and Jenna Deysel who choreograph for the first time.
The musical numbers in the show include Master of the House, With a Little Bit of Luck, A Spoonful of Sugar, Before the Parade Passes By, When You're Good to Mama, and Life Upon the Wicked Stage.
There are also relatively unknown gems from Merrily We Roll Along and The Hunting of the Snark as well as numbers from more recent Broadway hits, Naughty from Matilda the Musical and Falling Slowly from the Tony-winning Once.
Page to Stage runs from the Wednesday to June 14 at the Savoy Theatre every night from Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm. A matinee show will be taking place on Saturday afternoons at 2pm. Seating is cabaret-style so patrons can enjoy a finger supper during the show. Tickets for tables of eight costing R650 are available.
Group bookings can be arranged through Dee Symes on 082-875-1458. - Angela Daniels