KZN Young Performers’ Project presents
Annie
Playhouse Opera, 4 – 13 July
KZN Young Performers Project presents the delightful musical, Annie, the story of the plucky youngster and her quest for a bright new life outside of the walls of Miss Hannigan’s dreary orphanage, coming to The Playhouse for a short season from 4 – 13 July.
The Young Performers Project – the brilliant musical theatre youth initiative started in 2001 – typically stages one major production during the July school holidays. This year ambitiously, the YPP team is staging three different productions. This is the second production, coming hot on the heels of the Shrek which had a season in the new Milkwood Theatre, and in the final quarter, there will be a still to be announced festive season production.
The production team for Annie sees Daisy Spencer in the director’s chair; with musical direction by Des Govender; choreography by Evashnee Pillay, costume design and props by Kathy and Dominic Singery; sound design by Anthony Govender and lighting by Dylan Heaton
The much-loved Depression-era musical tells the story of Annie – a little girl with big dreams (Kaitlyn Rex) and her faithful companion, Sandy, a show-stealing golden retriever, Lucy. Annie is chosen to stay for one week with the famous billionaire Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks (Daniel Mayiza) and his charming secretary, Grace Farrell (Chloe Marot). One week turns into many, and the only person standing in the way of Annie`s bright future is the greedy Miss Hannigan, the gin-soaked ruler of the orphanage (Grace McIlroy); her wicked no good brother Daniel ‘Rooster’ Hannigan, (Nathan Kruger – professional performer) and his girlfriend, Lily St. Regis (Jenna Van Eyssen).
The whole cast comprises 120 performers – including a double cast of senior primary youngsters performing as orphans…
A rags to riches feel-good story which celebrates hope, family and resilience, features some great show stopping numbers including Tomorrow, Hard Knock Life, You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile, Maybe, Little Girls and Easy Street. The original Broadway Musical is based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray and opened on stage in 1977 and ran for a record breaking near-six years.
The Young Performers Project has, for the past 24 years, faithfully staged an annual musical theatre production with a youthful cast (with at least one professional performer) and a professional production team to provide the next generation of theatre practitioners with valuable experience of performing in a professional context. In recent years, the cast includes senior primary as well as high school learners, and members of Durban-based International School of Performing Arts to provide maximum experience opportunities for as many aspirant young performers as possible.
“We are delighted with the growth and development of the YPP initiative” enthuses Des Govender who heads the programme and has done so since 2017. She recently returned from London where she met with Musical Theatre International; rights holders; performing arts schools; West End producers and theatre managers on behalf of the I.S.P.A. team. “We want to forge meaningful local and international relationships for our young performers. We are working towards providing opportunities for children with interest and skill in performance – from senior primary, through high school, to tertiary education and towards a national and international career,” she said. “We believe that the best approach is a holistic one – identifying talented primary school learners and nurturing them until they are ready and equipped to manage their own professional careers, monitoring and mentoring them every step of the way. Essentially, we want to connect Durban performers with the world and the world with Durban”
Good to Know:
Annie is staged by The Young Performers Project NPC in association with The Playhouse Company and DALRO.
The show runs at 120 minutes, with an interval
It is suitable for age four and above.
Tickets through Webtickets and Pick n Pay stores nationwide.
Public tickets: R 150 – R 280
OAPS: 10% Discount on all seats
School and Block bookings please contact yppdurban@gmail.com
Performance on Friday 4th is a “relaxed” performance where formal theatre etiquette of silence and stillness, won’t be enforced enabling people and families with different needs to feel welcome and comfortable in a supportive environment.
Parking available at Royal Hotel.
Annie
