Review: Energetic and enjoyable new musical – The Octaves – premieres in Cape Town
The Octaves – musical When: October 14 to 23, 2021 Where: Artscape Tickets: R175-R275 Bookings: https://tickets.computicket.com/event/the_octaves_musical/7170717 |
It is not easy to create a new musical and more so during Covid and lockdown. A big round of applause to Imaan Anders who conceived, wrote and developed, The Octaves – the musical. It is as an aspirational story, with music providing a safe space as students express themselves and explore their identities –gender, sexuality, family, community. They navigate and grapple with conflicts of cultural affiliations- and parents who are not exactly on the same page. The cast is energetic; infusing their characters with verve and beautiful voices. I was wowed by the charismatic Kirby Jochems who gives a knockout rendition of My Favourite Things – from The Sound of Music. It was great to see the talented Luke Buys on stage again. I last saw him in the chorus in David Kramer’s Danger in the Dark –in October 2019 – at the Baxter – shorty before Rona brought live shows to a standstill.
The live band in the orchestra pit, is terrific and takes its cues, at points in the narrative, from the performers, on stage. The Octaves is Shamieg George’s first choreographic gig in a theatre context– an impressive feat –with physically charged sets. This is the first staging and the musical could benefit from polish. The young people in the audience loved the show. They laughed, applauded throughout, obviously relating to the narrative and stories on stage. The Octaves is on at Artscape, until Saturday, October 23, at 7pm. There is also a 3pm show on Saturday.
The Octaves – premiere season- Artscape- Cape Town- October 2021 Creative team Creative director: Iman Anders Co-director: Madeegha Anders Musical director: Ashur Petersen Choreographer: Shamieg George Project manager: Kaylin Khan Cast- characters – followed by performer’s names Areeba – A’eesha Petersen and Crystal Finck (understudy) Bongi – Bulelwa Mbenya Mr Adams – Jethro Thomas Mrs Adams – Nuraan Boltman Dean Gerald Meyer – Tristan Schouw Tina – Jessie Geduld Marko – Luke Buys Band Band leader and keyboard 1 – Devonish Hendricks Keyboard 2 – Rodney Buys and Vinashco Williams Guitarist – Shaun Francke Bassist – Darren Kaptein Drummer – Keagan Links |

❇ Featured image: Bulelwa Mbenya (Bongi) and Luke Buys (Marko) in The Octaves. Pic: Yazeed Jainodien. Supplied.