‘We can't imagine a show that is more potent right now, at this moment in history,’ says TheatreBIZ CEO and producer – Themi Venturas.
‘Man of La Mancha’ was written in the middle of the turbulent 1960s (one year before Hair) and explores the price paid for the losses of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion - two fundamental rights that are being threatened on a daily basis by governments and institutions throughout Africa.
‘It's about the dangers of mixing religion and government, about the destructive power of religious absolutism, about throwing people in jail for dissent, about violence against women, and it's about people standing up for themselves and refusing to be silenced -- just like the Civil Rights movement of the 60s, the gay rights and women's rights movements of the 70s, and the AIDS movement of the 80s,’ adds Themi.
‘The show also explores the roles of audience and actor, the power of the imagination, and the usually passive nature of modern audiences in this age of increasingly mind-numbing mainstream entertainment.’
Dale Wasserman's script used the classic novel Don Quixote as its foundation, as it originally told the story of Quixote's author, Miguel de Cervantes and his courage in standing up to the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition.
Adaptation
Adding the South African, and in particular KZN flavour, TheatreBIZ has set the musical in Ballito – and an entirely new context.
A number of criminals and a few riotous students have been arrested after mayhem at the Ballito ‘rage’ and are being incarcerated together in the overcrowded backyard of the Ballito Police station. As they sit in prison waiting to be called for processing and interrogation, they tell the other prisoners the tale of this mad knight, Don Quixote, who fought for justice, purity, freedom, and above all, love.
Such is don Quixote’s spell that even though we are now in the 21st century it’s still an immensely powerful tale and a ‘powerhouse’ of a musical with a rich, Spanish-flavoured score by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion.
‘Man of La Mancha’ argues, quite persuasively, that theatre and storytelling aren't only important, but a matter of life and death.
Directed by Themi Venturas, the production stars Cobus Venter (seen as Freddie Einsford-Hill in My Fair Lady recently) as Don Quixote and Liam Magner (of Neon Anthems and Spit Monkey fame) as his sidekick Sancho.
Under the musical direction of Luke Holder, currently head of music at Westville Boys High School, who makes his début at the Catalina Theatre, the musicians who will be members of the cast will be led by virtuoso ‘flamenco’ guitarist Demi Fernandez.
The show will open on the 4th February and play Thurs – Sat at 8pm, Sun at 2pm and 6pm with an early show at 5pm on a Sat. The cost will be R90 and R50 for the previews and matinees.
Previews: 4 - 7 February
