Talia Kodesh in ACTRESS: A POCKET MUSICAL
at the Hilton Arts Festival
Friday 8 August, 16h00
Saturday 9 August, 16h00
Sunday 10 August, 14h00
The original pocket musical Actress, conceived and written by Talia Kodesh and Bruce Dennill and starring Talia Kodesh with direction by Daniel Geddes, will be on stage at the Margot Chamberlain Music Centre – Recital Hall, Hilton College as part of the Hilton Arts Festival from 8 – 10 August 2025.
Actress is a musical dramedy; a funny, moving story of a woman trying to define (and succeed in) her different roles – actress, wife, mother, daughter, teacher, and more – while juggling the complexities of all of those responsibilities. The story takes place in New York and South Africa, following ‘Actress’ on her journey through stress and success, anger and auditions, triumph and tears, dance and delirium and, perhaps, the possibility of peace. There is also assistance and emotional support from an unexpected source…
It’s a tale that anyone who has ever had to adjust to new expectations in all walks of life – their own or someone else’s – will relate to. Plus showtunes! Pack your dancing shoes, your Theraband, your passport and your tissues. The show also features eight original songs by Bruce Dennill.
Talia won the Naledi Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her work in the original run of Actress. Audiences will also remember Talia’s beautiful portrayal of ‘Belle’ in Beauty and the Beast (for which she received a Naledi Nomination), her feisty ‘Mimi’ in Rent, her sassy ‘Oz’ in the original SA staging of We Will Rock You, among so many other memorable roles throughout the years – all making her one of South Africa’s musical theatre sweethearts before she took a break for motherhood.
Says Talia: “Actors are fundamentally storytellers. I’ve simply loved doing just that throughout my career. It feels like I’ve come full circle since performing in 2012 in The Last Five Years at the Studio Theatre at Montecasino, after which, I became a mother and temporarily stepped off the stage. How exhilarating for me to return there, not only starring in a production, but having created it – a long-held dream come true. I cannot wait for a whole new audience to meet Actress – I’m certain they will relate to her!”
“In a flashback to 2010 while living in New York, Talia’s head was flooded with ideas for a one-woman show. On a fateful morning a decade later, over a casual coffee, a friend and colleague, Bruce Dennill, helped bring these ideas to life in Actress,” she said.
The original songs by Bruce Dennill range from quiet, thoughtful, introspective musings to big, ballsy, belted showstoppers. As with the story, Talia and Bruce wanted the music to help define and give colour to the many moods and spaces Actress has to navigate, and the dynamics and lyrics in the songs really achieve that. Says Bruce of his involvement; “I have, happily, long received good feedback from industry professionals I respect about my strengths as a musical storyteller. So when Talia suggested that I might be able to help translate the sense of what she wanted to communicate with this show into both a script and songs she could sing on stage, it felt like a perfect fit – and we’re both so happy with the way it’s all turned out!”
Actress stars Talia Kodesh and features Nathan Ro as ‘Random Props Guy’. The creative dream team has multiple Naledi, Fleur Du Cap and Vita Awards and nominations between them.
Actress has received fantastic reviews from critics and audiences. Read reviews here.
Tickets are available now at Webtickets and the Hilton Arts Festival website at a cost of R190.
Good to Know:
Written and conceived by Talia Kodesh and Bruce Dennill, directed by Daniel Geddes with sets and costumes by Sarah Roberts.
Lighting design is by Denis Hutchinson with sound design by Henry Underhay.
Original music and lyrics by Bruce Dennill, musical direction by Bruce Dennill and Paul Elliott and arrangements by Paul Elliott.
Produced by Talia Kodesh and Bruce Dennill.
TALIA KODESH – Writer / Actress
Talia Kodesh is a performing arts practitioner with 23 years of professional experience. She matriculated from King David Linksfield and went on to study at TUT in Pretoria (Diploma Musical Theatre).
Her musical theatre stage credits include: Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte – Naledi Award: Best Children’s Production), The Sound of Music (Louisa von Trapp), Pieter Toerien’s International Touring Production of Cats (Jemima), We Will Rock You (South Africa – Oz; understudy Scaramouche and New Zealand- Scaramouche), Rent (Mimi Marquez), Chicago (Liz; understudy Roxie), Beauty and The Beast (Belle – Naledi Award Nomination: Best Actress in a Musical), Touring Production of Disney’s High School Musical (Gabriella Montez), and The Last Five Years (Cathy; co-producer). During this time, she never gave up on her first love… dance! She has remained an active teacher, choreographer and performance coach, and specialises in professional dance training and consulting. She is proud to be a part of the South African performing arts industry.
HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
Tickets are available now at Webtickets and the Hilton Arts Festival website at a cost of R190
Friday 8 August, 16h00
Saturday 9 August, 16h00
Sunday 10 August, 14h00
Book now at Webtickets and the Hilton Arts Festival website
Actress: A Pocket Musical
