Day two of our ‘Love the Arts’ feature we meet the fabulous Roland Perold. Roland spent the early part of lockdown collaborating with fellow musical thespians from around South Africa and created a marvellous piece called Stories 2020. The piece came to fruition and was staged at the Seabrookes Theatre in December. He has performed internationally for a number of years on cruise ships, also performing in the UK while he studied his MMus in Bath and now is nestled back home in Durban. He says his all-time favourite show was “Coward & Cole” where he shared the stage with another amazing cabaret performer Godfrey Johnson.
What do you love about performing?
There’s nothing quite like sitting in an auditorium as the lights dim and you await the opening lines, or overture, of a live performance. The conductor takes his place at the podium, the actors enter, the technicians have their fingers hovering over cue buttons and, soon, a collective experience is realised as the audience becomes engrossed by the action.
When last did you actually perform in front of a live audience?
I was lucky enough to perform my own collaboration on 13 December 2020… so, very recently at the current rate! I hosted an original musical song cycle in between varying lockdown levels.
If you could play any piece of music anywhere in the world, what would it be and where would it be?
Any port in a storm… let’s not be picky! Give me a few high notes to belt in the company of other lovely actors. We will perform in your makeshift venue. We will uplift and inspire. Just add audience.
