The annual musical at the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Department of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre), is a big deal. These are our future musical stars and when one looks through the cast lists of tomorrow’s mainstream productions, many of their names will be there – or that is the hope.
Yet choosing the particular musical each year is one of the toughest things to pull off. There are just so many elements to take into account. The sheer numbers of the performers to accommodate prescribe a particular musical and while the industry still dictates Boardwalk and West End musicals, Rosti Pashkevitch, Musical Theatre lecturer who directs this latest show opening on Thursday, decided with her colleagues that they will fashion a new production to get the most from their students and to give as many chances for the young students to shine.
“When we go to the theatre,” she explains, “we all expect something out of the ordinary. That’s where this year’s production started.”
Titled Expectations… the spotlight turns to the decay of the theatre in the 21st century. “We wanted to ask questions,” she said. What was going to happen to theatre in this new world? What about ethics in the theatre? These were just two of the questions swirling about.
The story deals with a composer, a choreographer, a director and the theatre muses. “We are telling the story of what we are trying to do with the musical – almost with the same characters,” she says. Fighting for centre stage, enormous expectations in the auditorium. Can all these hopes and dreams be met? With all the issues and egos flying around and clashing, things get a touch chaotic and in the background. It is the janitor, the soul of the stage, who tells the story.
Pashkevitch is clear about their mission. The students should have fun on stage but more than anything, this is their moment to discover what performance is about and that things don’t always run smoothly. But out there is an audience who don’t want to be bothered with any backstage shenanigans and are only interested in the performances and the show.
That’s where the performers get to step into the spotlight. Can they save the show? Will they meet those expectations?
Expectations benefits from the score of several musicals including hits by Leonard Bernstein, Bob Fossy and Gibson Kente, with musicals like Shaka Zulu, Sweet Charity, All That Jazz, Smash and Avenue Q all part of the night’s music.
With 70 students, it’s been a challenge because many of the first years arrive on campus with their own expectations and very little of the basic knowledge. “We have to start from scratch,” she says. It’s hard work but this is where the artists will rise. If you want it enough, hard work will follow. You simply won’t have a choice.
With changes in the teaching staff these past few years, many have been watching to see what will emerge. The student body has changed dramatically and Pashkevitch’s main aim is to give these novice artists training that will get them performing in the real world. “Everyone won’t end on stage,” she says but that has always been the reality of showbiz.”
Two casts, consisting of National Diploma students from their first to third year, will get the chance to get a taste of the footlights. Other staff members involved in the production are Hulisani Ndou, Lesego Baloyi, Letshego Seekoe and Revano Singh.
It’s a great chance to catch future stars as they hone their craft. It’s also a great way to test how good you are at spotting talent. Many of these young students will some day shine in the top musicals.
l Expectations… will be staged at the Breytenbach Theatre from June 18 to 27 at 7pm, with matinees on June 20 and 27 at 3pm. The Breytenbach Theatre is situated in Gerhard Moerdyk Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria. For bookings, contact 082 884 8946/012 382/ www.tut.ac.za/ goto/breytie. Tickets are R80.