That cultural joint, The Market Theatre, will be jumping for the festive season with Fats Waller's genius and a wallop of fresh talent.
Ain't Misbehavin', the Broadway smash hit of the 1970s, seems an odd choice to end The Market's 30th anniversary year. Mbongeni Ngema's take on Bambatha was in the pipeline but when it was not available, artistic director Malcolm Purkey decided on "a more conventional Christmas show".
When this celebration of the Harlem renaissance and Fats Waller's songwriting, starting with his first song Squeeze Me (penned when Fats was 14-years-old) was first staged in South Africa, it starred a mature cast. Singing and dancing up a joyous storm in the Napac, Pieter Toerien co-production (seen at the Andre Huguenot Theatre, in Hillbrow in 1990) were Sam Marais, Natalia da Rocha, Abigail Kubheka, Sophia Foster and Basil Appolis.
At The Market actor Lindani Nkosi (whose big musical theatre break was Junction Avenue Theatre Company's Love, Crime and Johannesburg in 2000) leads a company of relatively fresh faces.
The exception is Tshwane University of Technology graduate Earl Gregory who sings the fabulously decadent Viper Song. He made his Naledi award-winning professional debut as Joseph in Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat at Montecasino in 2004.
"It's like a cabaret," enthuses Purkey, who is directing. "There are 20 of his great songs like Ain't Misbehavin, Handful of Keys, Honeysuckle Rose, The Joint is Jumpin', the list goes on and on. In casting (the seven performers) I did something I'm committed to - a totally open call. I'm trying to imagine the next generation."
The upshot is that Tsepho Mngoma (son of Sibongile Khumalo) makes his debut as musical director. "He has real classical training and feeling for Fats Waller's music. Every note has to be there. No busking here."
So strongly does Purkey feel about nurturing new talent he is developing an associated artists project "in every area not just musical theatre", next year. Although there's no funding for a full-time ensemble, or company, this initiative will be very helpful in channelling and developing young artists.
"I love to be in the rehearsal room and hear those voices and listen to the confidence. In the 1970s and 1980s the old energy was driven by revolution. The new energy is driven by an upward social mobility and who owns the country. There is training out there and its delivering."
Looking back on the celebration year this institution, which "has tripled its income in two years", has had significant box office successes. The birthday music concerts in June attracted 93% capacity.
"The lesson of the year: we have a large black audience. Another lesson is to do less for longer (we did 29 projects this year) and get in touch with the audiences while still catering for diversity."
James Ncgobo's The Suitcase inspired by Es'kia Mphahlele's short story; John Matshikiza's production of Fugard's Nongogo and Lara Foot Newton and Lionel Newton's Hear and Now were big draws. "That showed us that well-staged beautifully acted pieces will draw audiences. There's still an audience for dramas. Hallelujah!"
- Ain't Misbehavin, featuring a live band and choreography by Athena Mazarakis, previews on November 10 to 14 (tickets: R30) and opens on November 15 running till December 23.