Theatre preview: Alistair Izobell talks about directing Cinderella & FrikaDella, The Roxy Revue Bar, Cape Town, November to December 2020
| Director: Alistair Izobell What: Cinderella & FrikaDella Genre: Pantomime- suitable for the family, no under 3s When: November 23 to December 17, 2020 | Where: The Roxy Revue Bar, GrandWest Tickets: R120 weekdays and R150 weekends Booking: Quicket |
Alistair Izobell is directing Cinderella & FrikaDella which is on at The Roxy Revue Bar, GrandWest, to kick off the Cape Town Festive Summer Season – November 23 to December 17, 2020. Izobell, made his debut in theatre, on stage at the age of eight in the Kramer-Petersen musical, District Six and has gone on to excel in every aspect of musical theatre- including – directing, producing, choreographing, musical direction and writing. His output is phenomenal and here is, lockdown level 1, directing a family panto, Cinderella & FrikaDella. He is also making a guest appearance as Patricia D in the production. This panto was put together in record time for the festive season and it looks fabulous. For more about the production, scroll down for link to preview.
TheCapeRobyn: What inspired this panto – Cinderella & FrikaDella -a yummy title? Based on anyone in particular?
Alistair Izobell: Unfortunately I can’t take ownership for the title of the show. That is Emo Adams. Once I had given him the synopsis he titled the show. He has always had a gift of coming up with sexy, awesome, satirical, titles, catch phrases and things so it is Emo’s doing.
TheCapeRobyn: Did you write this during lockdown or had you already planned this panto, prior to lockdown?
Alistair Izobell: No I didn’t write it during lockdown. I was commissioned to write it a few weeks ago. He [Emo Adams] called me in for a meeting and asked me to write a pantomime, which is daunting, exciting and an anxious challenge to accept but there is nothing embarking on a new experience and challenge.
TheCapeRobyn: Many of us thought that we would not see live theatre this year and that the festive season would be at home and now there is this fabulous panto with a great cast- Loukmaan Adams and the rest -must be very exciting for you?
Alistair Izobell: It is incredibly exciting not only Loukmaan, but the entire company, from Daylin Sass, Nicoleen Saal, Cheswyn Ruiters, Nur Abrahams, Ramaine Barreriro-lloyd, Herton Josephs. It is really fantastic to have these energies – a combination of emerging talents as well as greatly experienced talents, in theatre -and to have them come together and watch this magic unfold.
TheCapeRobyn: It have been hectic to work on this – such uncertainty – not knowing if it actually be staged – until last minute?
Alistair Izobell: We are living in unprecedented times so you have to accept what the day presents to you, we are very excited that it is happening.
TheCapeRobyn: Is this your first festive season panto that you have done? First one at GrandWest?
Alistair Izobell: I have never been in a pantomime but I have always loved Janice Honeyman’s, and in London when we toured with Kat the Kings. The great English pantomimes are just magnificent. It makes one feel like a little child that was googly-eyed and in awe of fairy tales. This is the first pantomime at GrandWest. It has never been done before so its wall breaking moment for GrandWest and that particular theatre.
TheCapeRobyn: Janice Honeyman’s panto sells out every year. I always feel miffed that we don’t have an annual panto in Cape Town. Janice’s panto was cancelled this year – so all the Jozi-ites can come to Cape Town?
Alistair Izobell: Well, that is wonderful that we have Cape Town experiencing its first pantomime with a Cape Flats: Cape Town kind of feel and lingo. We are of course thrilled that the festive season visitors will get to experience our pantomime here. Of course it is not comparative to Janice Honeyman and her productions. She has been doing pantomimes for 20 years, but there is always a space for other wonderful theatre and we are thrilled to just do theatre. We are excited to do theatre.
TheCapeRobyn: Do you envisage a Cape Town panto every year at GrandWest- with Cape Town spice?
Alistair Izobell: Without a doubt we will be producing pantomimes every single year and they are going to be spicy, sexy and with a Cape Town flavour. We are very, very excited that this project birthed out of Emo’s [Adams] very busy brain, that we all get to produce and make sure that we present a wonderful project. Cinderella & Frikadella is going to be a laugh a minute wonderful experience.
Related coverage of Cinderella & FrikaDella which is on at The Roxy Revue Bar, GrandWest, Nov-Dec 2020
Image credits: Supplied.
