Kerry Hiles transports theatregoers back in time with “A Star is Born - The Rise and Fall of Judy Garland”, currently showing at Theatre on the Square.
Written and directed by Amanda Bothma, the 70-minute cabaret includes Luke Holder on piano.
The production earned an Ovation award at the 2019 National Arts Festival. It also enjoyed a successful 2023 run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
I caught up with Hiles, who is no stranger to the stage, on the opening night of the show last Wednesday.
She was over the moon about the preview performance.
She said: “The stage is looking beautiful, the lights are looking beautiful and Luke is looking beautiful.”
The show was inspired by a documentary Hiles had watched, about Elizabeth Taylor in 2018.
Hiles explained: “They were speaking about other people in her class when she was studying to be an actress. It was Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Temple and Judy Garland.”
Her curiosity over what happened to Garland led Hiles, along with Bothma, to look more closely at her career.
Hiles added: “She’s the most incredible example of rising above your circumstances again and again and just being so resilient. She was quite inspiring. Yes, she did pass away from a drug overdose at 47, which is not necessarily the greatest life lesson but there were lots of incredible things that happened in her life that are just beautiful messages for everyone.”
And so the show was born and staged in 2019 at the National Arts Festival.
She continued: “The show was created as a 50-minute piece originally because it had to fit on festival stages. But now it is about 70 minutes, we’ve added an extra bit of script and four new songs because now it is a standalone show.”
“We’ve also done a big band version of it earlier this year at the Hilton College, which went down an absolute treat and we will be repeating that with some other high schools next year.
“It was such a wonderful experience to work with school-level singing bands and jazz bands and audiences, who can relive those glory days of cabaret productions and big brass band productions and movies.
“It is the perfect marriage between the guys learning the instruments now and how they were employed back in the day and how they can still be employed. It is not an ancient art,” she laughed.
Based in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth), Hiles is no stranger to the stage. She’s been touring with her band Misery Loves Company, doing tribute shows, including The Eva Cassidy Story, across the country.
She’s worked with Bothma since 2012 when they worked on “Evita”. They’ve also worked together in “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Lad ‘n a Lamp”.
The cabaret includes Hiles delivering haunting renditions of classics like “That’s Entertainment”, “I Got Rhythm” and “Over The Rainbow”.
Where: Theatre on the Square.
When: Until September 28, 7.30pm.
Cost: Tickets cost between R180 to R200 and can be purchased through Computicket.
Stories from the Old Calabash
There is no better way to celebrate Heritage Month than with this production, which delves into the rich tapestry of African stories.
This stage production offers a collection of indigenous folk tales from across the continent to inspire, entertain and educate.
This interactive, especially curated production, tells tales of people from all races, colours and creeds while promoting literacy in both young and old.
Stories are accompanied by an assortment of well-known pop music hits that all will enjoy, beats and melodies rooted firmly in African soil that will get the audience up on their feet. This show is one not to be missed!!
The show is produced and directed by Jill Girard and Keith Smith.
The cast, executing various characters, include Luciano Zuppa (Chief, Leopard, Lion, Rhino, Crocodile farmer), Palesa Makhalima (Rabbit, Crow, Tortoise, The Brave Kid, Impala), Lesedi Mpshe (Fox, Elephant, Jackal, Snake, Frog) and Junior Geel (Goat, Cow, Zebra, Buffalo).
Where: People’s Theatre.
When: Runs until September 29. Showtimes at 9am and 11am from Tuesday to Friday and at 10.30am and 2.30pm on weekends and school holidays.
Cost: Ticket prices range from R140 to R165 and can be purchased through Webtickets.
Despicable Hehe
Conrad Koch and Chester Missing are returning with their new show for a limited run at Pieter Torien’s Montecasino Theatre.
The show includes old favourites: Mr Dixon, a high school teacher; Hilton, the party ostrich, Gunter the German tourist Mosquito; the world’s most dangerous dummy, Vladimir Putin, Vampire; and DJ Hoodie, the musical maniac.
Of course, theatregoers are in for a riotous experience.
Where: Pieter Torien’s Montecasino Theatre.
When: October 2 to 6, 7.30pm. Times on the weekend, vary.
Cost: Ticket prices are between R120 and R220, and can be booked through Webtickets.