Roald Dahl | antakalipa

Matilda Jr.

At the Peoples Theatre, Joburg Theatre for the opening of Matilda Jr. I was so excited for this one! As a kid, I used to love the movie. To be honest, I still love it today. I would never dare change the channel if it’s on. Nostalgia, it takes me back to simpler times. A time when I yearned for telekinetic powers to defeat and outwit my bullies. I truly loved the show, it had me laughing and reminiscing all the way. There’s nothing better than hearing a child’s laughter, the show had that effect. Everyone was entertained, it is mellow, humorous, light and family-friendly.

The set is colorful and the transition between scenes is seamless and efficient. Everyone knew their cues and the show just flowed. I absolutely loved Peo-entle Pitso as Matilda. She is sharp witted and fast. She performs with a lot of love, she’s mischievous, she sings and she’s convincing, she is simply brilliant! One for the future. Luciano Zuppa is straight-up Miss Trunchbull. Musculine, crooked teeth, towering and intimidating. Raymond Skinner as Mr. Wormwood is definitely my favorite. He has zero regard for reading and derisively calls Matilda a “bookworm”. It’s crazy that Matilda has read “Crime and Punishment”, I agree with his father’s assessment. He ultimately gets in trouble with the Russian mafia for his shady deals. Jordan Rogers is gorgeous and enjoyable as Mrs. Wormwood. She is materialistic and wants the good life. She also doesn’t understand Matilda and she doesn’t waste her time trying to, she’d rather spend time with her boy toy, dancing with her wedding ring out of sight. Amelia Stephens is simple as Miss Honey. Long dresses, clean presentation, tame and a calm demeanor. I laughed out loud when Matilda asked if she was poor. Yes, she is poor. However she is kind, caring and empathetic – qualities that make her a great teacher and she gets the big house at the end.

Amazing show, the kids are in sync and well practiced. They sang, they danced and they delivered lines with precision. The writing is fabulous, everything and everyone is fabulous! Highly recommended, wonderful, wonderful show!

Directed by Jill Girard and Sandy Richardson-Dyer
Musical Director – Coenraad Rall
Set Design – Grant Knottenbelt

Congratulations to the Peoples Theatre and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

Charlie and the Chocolate factory

Follow the music of the Maestro, feel it, let it envelop your whole being, breath through your pores and express itself in your movements. Ballet, sensitivity, technique, balance, composure, calm, grace, poise and beauty. Let go, immerse yourself in the present moment, time moves for you, stretch your anatomy, be the pulse in which life revolves around, be one with all of life, be vulnerable, feel. Conductor, conductor, conductor, I love it when they walk on their toes, it’s like they are floating, spinning like tops in the air, like gravity isn’t a factor, like clouds are made of concrete but it doesn’t matter because they are skipping ahead. It’s unbelievable how they do splits in the air, complete 180 degrees airborne and they stick the landing. The leap in the air is totally gorgeous. Sam and I were excited for this one weeks prior and it delivered with flying colors. SamSays on the credits. It’s mind-boggling how the ballet dancers can support the whole of their weight on their toes, it’s like they don’t have ankles, it’s effortless too, like it’s not a big deal, like this is how I walk, like I make time slow down. The beauty of the human anatomy, finally I understand. It’s art, how it stretches, the muscles, how it bends, how flexible it is, and how glorious it is when it has attained mastery. It’s pure awe, it takes your breath away. Ballet is the celebration of God’s glory, he is showing off. The motion of their hands when they move on stage, it’s like current is flowing through their bodies, it’s slow motion, freeze frame, photogenic, zen, graceful, absolutely beautiful.

I was at the opening of the Mario Gaglione ballet show at the Joburg Theatre, “Charlie and the Chocolate factory” by Roald Dahl, music by Mark Cheyne and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Full house, no empty seat. Unbelievable show, loved every moment of it. A complete theatrical experience with an emsemble that featured all age groups. The show is visually rich and is paced through the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. The performers are expressive facially and they explore the stage like voyagers, skipping, leaping throughout. The performers are mesmerizing. They dance with complete freedom and expression, like demons allowed to leave hell for a couple of minutes, but it’s not demonic, it’s beautiful – everything is beautiful. No dialogue, the classic story of “Charlie and the Chocolate factory” is told through the medium of ballet, dance, visuals and glorious music that strings you along from the first minute to it’s climax. Even Willy Wanka is a ballet dancer. The dancers are exquisite even the kids. The costumes have personality and the set keeps changing to add to the texture and dimension of the show. The Orchestra have range and have the ability to make you happy, sad or to make you laugh. They are the backbone of the show and keep you hooked from the start. Perfect show, beautifully told and executed with precision and attention to detail. I loved the show, a must watch for theatre enthusiasts. Special praise and reverence for Monike Cristina, I understand beauty because I witnessed her on the stage, her level of focus and execution is second to none, she moved like a swan. Congratulations to Mario Gaglione and the whole team for a beautiful show and a deserved standing ovation.