Willy Russell’s acclaimed West End musical Blood Brothers returns to Cape Town from 12 February until 22 March 2014, following its two successful seasons at Theatre on the Bay and Pieter Toerien’s Theatre at Montecasino in Johannesburg,. The production, adapted and directed by David Kramer, is produced by Pieter Toerien and Eric Abraham. You’d be smart to book soonest.
Singing sensation Alistair Izobell, joins the stellar company and will be singing the role of the Narrator from 12 February to 22 March 2014. The Producers are proud to have this award-winning performer join the Blood Brothers production.
Alistair started his professional theatre career as a 12 year old in the Kramer/Petersen musical District Six. He followed that with the role of Ritchie Valens in the South African production of The Buddy Holly Story. Alistair performed the role of Magoo on the West End and Broadway productions of the Kramer/Petersen musical Kat and the Kings, for which he received a much coveted Olivier Award. Izobell has produced several shows, the most recent being Radio Classics together with Heart 104.9’s Clarence Ford, over the summer of 2012.
Lynelle Kenned will now be playing the role of Mrs Lyons. Lynelle is a star graduate of the UCT Opera School and a member of the award-winning South African Sopranos. Lynelle became a popular TV personality as the runner-up in the Top Billing New Presenter Search. She subsequently joined Pasella as a presenter. Lynelle’s career highlights include performing with Katherine Jenkins, and participating in master classes with the Julliard’s Brian Zeger. Lynelle has been performing the role of Mrs Johnson once a week in the Johannesburg run of Blood Brothers.
Bianca Le Grange, who has been playing the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone to great acclaim and standing ovations, has impressed significantly in her Musical Theatre debut; “Bianca Le Grange has come a long, long way since her Idols days and as Mrs Johnstone, a key character in the unfolding drama, is magnificent. Using her power-house vocals, she performed songs that touched the soul and her finale brought tears to the eyes.” -Artslink
Blood Brothers tells the story of a mother who agrees, through absolute financial desperation, to give away one of her twin boys at birth. The moving story is set in Cape Town with a distinctly local flavour. David Kramer’s adaptation, which has been highly praised by the media, marked the first time that author Willy Russell (Shirley Valentine, Educating Rita) had ever granted permission for his musical to be adapted.
What the Cape and Johannesburg Media have had to say –
**** “Sheer stage dynamite ” Business Day
**** ” aangrypende stuk wat boei ” Beeld
**** “Masterfully adapted and staged by Kramer” The Star
Blood Brothers, Fugard Theatre
The show stars a talented all-local cast including 2012 Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winner Dean Balie (Kat and the Kings) as Eddie, Ephraim Gordon as Mickey, Carlo Daniels as Sammy, Marlo Minnaar as Mr Lyons and Andrea Frankson as Linda. Shadley Schroeder, Junaid Booysen, Sue Pyler and Monique Rockman complete the excellent line up. Video design is by Matthew and Paul Kalil, lighting design is by multi award-winning Denis Hutchinson and costumes are by multi award-winner Penny Simpson. Sound design is by the Red Hot Waves.
WHEN: 12 February to 22 March 2014. Performances run Tuesdays to Fridays at 8pm, and at 4pm and 8pm on Saturdays.
WHERE: Fugard Theatre, Caledon Street, Cnr of Harrington Street, District Six, Cape Town 8001
TICKETS: from R90 to R160, available via Computicket or the theatre box office on 021 461 4554.
