Theatre preview: Cinderella – a magical, musical celebration, at the Masque, Cape Town- December 9-18, 2021                                                  

What: Cinderella – a magical, musical celebration

When: December 9-18, 2021
Where: Masque Theatre, 37 Main Road, Muizenberg
Tickets:  R100 https://tickets.computicket.com/event/cinderella/4438168

Website: https://themasque.co.za/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/masquetheatresa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masquetheatresa/
Tiktok: #CinderellaAtTheMasque

Don’t lose your slipper! The Masque and Constantiaberg Theatre Players are presenting a new version of Cinderella, from December 9-18, at the Masque. Direction and script is by Faeron Wheeler who describes the production as “a wickedly funny fairy tale adventure that is full of foot-stomping pop hits, beautiful costumes, and the most fabulous fairy godmother.” Wheeler says that are staying with Cinderella as a “classic fairy tale full of hope, love and plenty of magic…” and are adding in fun and music. “We’re keeping it old-school with a great modern twist. The show is full of popular numbers that’ll make you want to dance, amazing voices that will wow you and a whole lot of laughs. From Mambo No.5, to I Gotta Feeling, this night is going to be a great night…” Beneath the glam, who is Cinderella? “Join Cinderella as she tries to find a life where people see who she truly is and Prince Charming, as he looks for real love; the Queen as she tries to get her son to be a strong ruler, and the step-family as they try to climb to the station they deserve… And it’s all weaved together by the magic of our Fabulous Fairy Godmother. Oh, and our Herald will be capturing it all and sharing it with her TikTok.”


Faeron Wheeler was last seen at the Masque with Absolutely Fabulous – an adaptation which she wrote and she has been active during lockdown and the pandemic, producing and directing and acting.  The multi-talented Erika Marais is playing Lady Vivianna de Meanfacé – Cinder’s stepmother. Marais recently produced and acted in The Unlikely Secret Agent, at the Drama Factory and has worked extensively with Wheeler. Musical direction is by Tersia Harley, who headed up the musical direction of the vibey musicals, A Boarding Line and This Moment, at the Masque. Choreography is by Stephanie McCulloch of Twisted Movements Dance Studio. May we add that seats are limited due to Covid lockdown regulations and that this season is likely to sell out. Check out the cool Cinders in Cape Town pics – taken in front of Iziko Museum, in The Company Gardens. It look like a magical and fantastical Cinderella house.


Cinderella – December 9-18, 2021 at the Masque Theatre, 37 Main Road, Muizenberga – need to know


Duration: 2.5 hour (with interval)

Tickets:  R100 https://tickets.computicket.com/event/cinderella/4438168

Performances

Thursday, Dec 9, 8pm
Friday, Dec 10, 8pm
Saturday, Dec 11, 2:30pm and 6.30pm
Wednesday, Dec 15, 8pm
Thursday, Dec 16, 8pm
Friday, Dec 17, 8pm
Saturday, Dec 18, 2.30pm and 6.30pm

Wheelchair access: Yes
Food: Yes – cash bar and snacks – in foyer
Parking: Yes – small parking by theatre (free) and parking area adjacent to theatre (R20) or free street parking  
Info: Faeron Wheeler cinderella@themasque.co.za

COVID PROTOCOLS  

The production team is committed to observing strict Covid-19 Protocols. “We ask that audience members please respect social distancing measures and that masks are worn where possible. All audience members will be subject to temperature checks before entering the venue, and requested to use our (fragrant) sanitiser. We value our patrons and will do everything in our power to keep our cast, crew and audience safe. “    
Aidan Lewis as Prince Charming , in Cinderella at the Masque, Cape Town, Dec 2021. Supplied.
Cinderella 2021 at the Masque- creative credits

Cinderella  Erin Gemmell
Fabulous Fairy Godmother Bonolo Moloi
Prince Charming   Aidan Lewis
Lady Vivianna de Meanfacé    Erika Marais
Constantinia  Wayne Ronné
Narcissistica   Tayla Sargent
Herald  Tami Schrire
Queen  Amy Blanchard  

Ensemble  

Nicky Enticott, Aneeqah Meyer, Nicole Hendricks, Matthew Sellier, Tanya Smith, Karla Britz, Kevin Thyssen, Charlene Terblanche, Eugen Sinclair          

Director Fae Wheeler
Musical director  Tersia Harley
Choreographer Stephanie McCulloch
Producer Daniel Enticott
Producer Nicky Enticott
Stage manager Melissa Marcus
Lighting design Gary Fargher
Sound Gail Duguid Fargher
Design Kim R2
Set design Richard Higgs  
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Faeron Wheeler  

Faeron Wheeler is an award-winning playwright, director, performer and producer. This year, she received a Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award for (extra)ordinary, (un)usual at the National Arts Festival, as well as an unprecedented second Standard Bank Ovation Award for Your Perfect Life. Faeron is thrilled to be returning to the Masque with a new production and getting involved with community theatre again.
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Tersia Harley  

Tersia Harley is a music teacher who loves doing productions. The first one she was involved with was Oliver, done by the school she taught at in East London. This opened many doors for her as she not only played the piano, but became the vocal coach, musical director and performer of shows produced by The Arts Theatre, Alexander Playhouse and the Guild Theatre in East London. When she moved back to Cape Town in 2011, she continued her passion by getting involved with musicals in the same fashion. The latest one being Liewe Heksie produced by Wêla Kapela Productions. ____________________________________________________________________________
Stephanie McCulloch  

Stephanie McCulloch is the owner of Twisted Movements Dance Studio. She studied through the Waterfront Theatre School and since then has performed in theatre productions, music videos, voice overs, flash mobs and appeared on TV. Stephanie has also directed and choreographed all her own productions with Twisted Movements Dance Studio.    

CAST
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Erin Gemmell  

Erin Gemmell grew up with a keen love for theatre and became involved through children’s theatre, pantomimes and community theatre. She has appeared in shows such as Once Upon A Time. Com at the Masque theatre, The Little Grey Rabbit, The Wizard of Oz and Snoopy! The Musical at the Artscape for which she won a CATA. She has a BA in Drama from UCT and studied musical theatre postgrad at LAMTA.
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Bonolo Moloi  

Bonolo’s theater experience consists
of the one stint she did in grade 4. The play was Little Red Riding Hood. Bonolo played that part of the grandmother and for this role she was required to sleep throughout the play and at the end say “Aaah my hero.” This is a metaphor for her life. She is awake and doing something she thoroughly enjoys.
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Aidan Lewis  

Aidan Lewis, who is a multi-faceted vocalist and trombonist, hails from the idyllic town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. His wide-ranging vocal style and ability have allowed him to not only grace classical stages but also, mainstream music stages. He portrayed the role of Bogdanowitch in Lehar’s hit Operetta Die Lustige Witwe in 2017 at the Endler. He reprised the role in 2019 for The Merry Widow at the Artscape Opera house. In 2019, he landed a role in the renowned musical Hairspray (Pinelands Players) on South Africa’s illustrious Artscape Theatre stage, and performed as a backing vocalist in Stellenbosch City Orchestra’s tribute to the legendary rock ‘n roll band, Queen (2018, 2019). ____________________________________________________________________________

Erika Marais  

Erika studied drama at the University of Pretoria and originally focused on educational theatre and puppeteering, with a special focus on disadvantaged communities. She has also spent several years teaching drama at Amoyo Performing Arts Foundation in Hout Bay and then at schools in Hong Kong, where Erika lived for two years. Her theatre credits include Inspector Drake and The Black Widow, The House Guest, Sunshine Boys, Your Perfect Life (double Standard Bank Ovation Award Winner at National Arts Festival) and The Unlikely Secret Agent.
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Amy Blanchard  

Amy Blanchard started performing at the Eoan Group in Athlone. Her first professional theatre production was Kramer & Petersen’s Kat and the Kings at The Fugard Theatre in 2012/13. She has performed in local and international children’s productions, and currently works in TV production/Media. ____________________________________________________________________________

Tami Schrire  

Tami Schrire has always loved the theatre, and her grandmother took her to shows from a young age. She grew passionate for drama and acting in high school and took part in every school production she could. After school, Tami got involved with the Masque Theatre and got to be in Romeo and Juliet in 2019. She also got to be a part of Twelfth Night as Viola, but unfortunately the production was halted due to the pandemic. Now, Tami is so excited and grateful to be in Cinderella this year. ____________________________________________________________________________

Tayla Sargent  

Tayla Sargent has been actively involved in theatre since the age of 6. Her credits include Beauty and the Beast, Charley’s Aunt, The Cherry Orchard, Run for your wife, Dating, Mating and Relating for Dummies, The Grass is Always and White Noise, which was written and directed by Tayla.
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Wayne Ronné  

Wayne Ronné is no stranger to the Masque Theatre stage and is glad to be back with a show like Cinderella. He has acted in many shows like The Comedy of Errors and Romeo & Juliet to name a few. He wrote a play called Inertia that saw its run at the Baxter Theatre and has continued to write plays during the lockdown. Wayne also hosts murder mystery events in his spare time and works at a custom software company.  

Sponsored content. Featured image – Erin Gemmell and Aidan Lewis – Cinderella at the Masque, 2021. Images supplied.