ACTRESS - The award-winning original pocket musical heads to Redhill Arts Festival

 

 

Due to popular demand, the multi award-winning pocket musical Actress returns to the Joburg stage, this time at Redhill School in Morningside as part of The Redhill Arts Festival (#RedFest2024), taking place from 25 – 28 July 2024.

 

Actress will be on stage in the Len Miller Auditorium for 2 performances only: Friday 26 July at 19h00 & Saturday 27 July at 17h00.

 

Bookings opened online recently and Actress is already showing signs of being one of the “must see” shows of the annual festival, so don’t delay, get your tickets at just R200 now as seating is limited.

 

Actress enjoyed its debut season at Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre at Montecasino in September/October 2023 and was showered with praise from media and public alike. 

 

With its first outing, the musical has already garnered two coveted theatre industry awards: the piece won Best New Musical or Play from Broadway World South Africa and Talia Kodesh received a Naledi Theatre Award for Best Female Lead Performance in a Musical.

 

Says producer Collett Dawson of The CoLab Network; 

“While we don’t stage shows to receive awards, it has been so heart-warming to see Actress and all the hard work, vulnerability and dedication that Talia and Bruce put into this original theatre piece validated in this way.” 

 

She continues: 

“We want to continue taking this show to as many corners of the country, and indeed, the world, as we can, so we are so thrilled that we’ll be starting the festival circuit at #Redfest2024 with the festival version of the show”.

 

Conceived and written by Talia Kodesh and Bruce Dennill, with music by Bruce Dennill and featuring Nathan Ro as ‘Random Props Guy’, 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 of Actress 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. 

 

 

Says Talia Kodesh; 

“I feel so grateful to have been approached by Redhill to perform Actress at this year’s Arts Festival. Redhill has always been a proud supporter of the Arts and how thrilled I am to be a part of RedFest 2024.”

 

Bruce Dennill adds; 

“I’m so glad that Actress is returning to the stage and will be able to reach new audiences at this year’s RedFest.”

 

Actress is on stage at The Len Miller Auditorium at The Redhill Arts Festival, Redhill School in Morningside, Joburg for two performances only: Friday 26 July at 19h00 & Saturday 27 July at 17h00.

Tickets are R200 excluding booking fees and can be booked via the Redhill Arts Festival Website.

 

SHOW CREDITS

Actress stars Talia Kodesh and features Nathan Ro as ‘Random Props Guy’

Written and conceived by Talia Kodesh and Bruce Dennill.

Directed by Daniel Geddes

Sets and costumes by Sarah Roberts

Lighting design is by Denis Hutchinson

Sound design by Henry Underhay

Original music and lyrics by Bruce Dennill

Musical direction by Bruce Dennill and Paul Elliott

Musical arrangements by Paul Elliott

Actress is proudly produced by Collett Dawson of The CoLab Network.

#ActressTheMusical

 

PRAISE FOR ACTRESS

 

 “With a whirlwind of emotions and artistry, it combined music, humour, dancing, drama, speech, heart, soul and thought-provoking moments into an 80-minute rollercoaster of a show. It’s the kind of theatre experience that leaves you feeling invigorated and deeply moved” - thesomethingguy

 

“It’s a production that lingers in your thoughts long after the final curtain falls, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the art of theatre. For me, this is what theatre is all about and why I fell in love with theatre in the first place. Shows like THIS.” - thesomethingguy

 

 

“The 10-out-of-10-ness of this show is about all the different elements of it coming together. Perfectly.” - Robyn Sassen

 

“Where the spotlight often shines on grand productions, this show is a heartwarming reminder that sometimes, it’s the intimate gems that shine the brightest.” - On Cue

 

“This production has the capability to relate to and tell so many people’s stories of change, success, failure, parenthood, ambition and love.” - Step Out Gauteng

 

“This is world-class theatre.” - Arja Salafranca

 

“This is a masterpiece of theatre. DO NOT MISS IT. You will cry, you will laugh and your soul will be forever changed.” - Carly Graeme

 

“It’s hard to accurately describe - clever, funny, relevant, very well acted, staged and directed - but different too. I ‘don’t miss’, in my opinion.” - Ceri von Ludwig

 

“Exactly what theatre should be. Fabulously entertaining, thought-provoking and engaging.” - Kirsty Galliard