| What: LAMTA’s Hollywood, a dance spectacle celebrating the glitz, grit and glamour of Tinseltown When: June 19-29, 2024. Performances run Tuesday to Saturday at 19h30 with matinees at 14h30 on Saturdays Where: Theatre on the Bay, Camps Bay Tickets: R150-R250 Bookings: Webtickets or book at the box office on 0214383300 Group discounts: For learners and dance studios, contact Ingrid on 066 564 1816 Age advisory: All ages |
Hollywood, the new dance spectacle by LAMTA (The Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy) is their stunning showcase of a breath-taking range of dance. The “glitz and glam” of Hollywood, its creativity, music, and dance is used in each number in the show. The choreographers are: Jared Schaedler, Duane Alexander, Brigitte Reeve Taylor, Michelle Reid, Sven Eric Muller, Zoë Aldridge, Ashley Searle, Robin van Wyk, Chesney Stanfield and Emile Petersen and LAMTA graduates Anna Olivier and Naoline Quinzin. Between the dance sequences, there are fascinating montages of archival footage from the silver screen and a movie quiz (in two parts) which is a delight. The evening starts when one enters the theatre foyer, with the audience being welcomed on a red carpet, by LAMTA students, holding microphones and cameras like paparazzi. This is an opportunity to dress up and take selfies like celebs, with Oscar statuettes. Just remember to say: “No comment” to the reporters!
The dance numbers provide the opportunity for the students to dazzle in a wide range of dance and styles. Strength, acrobatic, athletic dance is evidenced throughout. The use of ballet is impressive and mention must go to LAMTA ballet master, Robin van Wyk’s hand in instilling ballet training which shows in the incredible grace and fluidity, even in the harder rock pieces.
I enjoyed the entire programme but stand-outs for me are The Audition with music by Mika’s Grace Kelly. The choreographer is Jared Schaedler. Grand Budapest Hotel, choreographed by Michelle Reid is fabulous. It is signature Michelle Reid and her ability to conjure up narrative through dance. I loved Risky Business, choreographed by Duane Alexander with Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock n’ Roll and What Was I Made For – musical arrangement and direction by Anton Luitingh. The closing number, Startstruck is a sensation with music by ACDC, also choreographed by Jared Schaedler. The show received a rapturous standing ovation.
Hollywood is a huge fun- stunning dance, songs, costumes, impeccable production values in terms of lighting and design. With Hollywood, LAMTA has again delivered a knockout of a dance show. Bravo to LAMTA principals, Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander, the choreographers and LAMTA students for bringing us the red carpet of Hollywood to Cape Town.
✳ Hollywood, by LAMTA (The Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy), June 2024, Theatre on the Bay, Cape Town. Pic: Ingrid Owen. Supplied.
