[caption id="attachment_34009" align="alignright" width="300"] IT'S A FAMILY SHOWBUSINESS: All the world's a stage for Erin-Ashleigh, Vanessa (mom), Georgia and Amy Palmer. Picture:BRIAN WITBOOI[/caption]
MOTHER of five Vanessa Palmer has been "mom's taxi" for her singing, dancing daughters for so long that when she heard they were going to audition for the new Gilbert and Sullivan musical, she decided she would sign up for the show herself.
So, when From Page to Stage opens tonight at the Savoy Theatre, Vanessa will be in the spotlight on stage alongside Erin-Ashleigh, 20, and Georgia-Jo, nine.
Director Rose Cowpar said a third Palmer daughter, Amy, in Grade 12 at Alexander Road High School, had a role in the school's presentation of the comedy Noise Off, and also played the cello. Amy was in The Pirates of Penzance and is currently doing physical theatre for the Pansa Youth Theatre Project. They're such a great family, I'll never forget Vanessa sitting watching the girls read at auditions and piping up and asking if she could have a try as well," Cowpar said.
From Page to Stage is a revue of songs from more than 40 popular musicals which began their journey as books, plays or poems, and has a cast of 30. And, although Vanessa's stage debut is in the chorus this evening, Erin will be singing in a duet with the experienced Bennie Gerber, while youngest daughter Georgia has two solos.
"It's a lot easier being a supportive parent than it is to actually be involved in the production," said Vanessa, ahead of opening night. For one, who is left behind at home to cook for the cast? Fortunately, the Palmer family has a supportive father Leslie, and it will now be the turn of "dad's taxi" to pick up where mom left off, delivering meals and helping with the ironing.
- Page to Stage runs from tonight until June 14. Tickets are on sale at Computicket; contact Dee Symes for group bookings on 082-875-1458. - Gillian McAinsh