If you missed the two runs of “Vincent” last year, it’s returning to the Theatre on the Square for a limited time.
The award-winning musical is helmed by Daniel Anderson, masterfully relaying the life of famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh through a captivating cabaret.
He is supported by Paul Ferreira on piano in this creative joint effort by Amanda Bothma, Jacques Du Plessis and Germaine Gamiet.
The show explores Van Gogh’s unwavering pursuit of artistic satisfaction while seeking human connection. Sadly, his genius was only uncovered in death, which also homed in on his existential mental health battle.
A tormented soul, he used his passion to gift the world a glimpse of his world.
Anderson uses music, from pop and rock to jazz, to convey the artist’s yearning for love and acceptance.
Ahead of tonight’s performance, I caught up with Anderson, who I interviewed for “Mad About The Boys” a few months back, to get a sense of what’s been happening with him and the show.
He said it had grown immensely in the past year and even toured Edinburgh last August.
Anderson added: “And then it went on to be nominated for a few other local awards in South Africa. Of course, the cherry on top was the news that we were nominated for six Naledi Theatre Awards this year and, of those, the show won three of them. Two of the three were for me.”
“Vincent” won Best Lead Actor in a Musical Theatre Production, Best Cabaret/ Revue/Small Scale Musical Production and Best Breakthrough Performance.
He added: “We are really blessed to be recognised. For the most part I’ve been walking this journey with ‘Vincent’, going to different corners of our country and having the privilege of performing it.
“In between, I have been doing a pantomime here and there, a musical here and there, mostly in Durban with KickstArt Productions.”
On the show’s return, he added: “We find it’s important to keep checking in on a piece to see if it is landing, if there are better ways to land.”
He added that when Bothma, the writer and director, saw the show for the first time in eight months about a month ago, she approached him for a sit down to chat about a few things.
“We did. We changed minor details, a turn and a phrase here or there. A piece is never in its perfect state. It is always in the process of becoming more and more perfect.”
Anderson added: “There is humour in this script. People know of the tragic story, and it is a tragic story, but it is this constant pull of life and shade, and the way that the piece treats Van Gogh allows you to connect with him and when he dies at the end, it is more powerful.
“If you saw the show last year, you will have a different experience this time around.”
He also touched on exploring a non-musical subject in the context of a musical.
He added: “Van Gogh was a visual artist, he didn’t sing any songs. That for me, is the most exciting part about doing a show like this.
“All of a sudden, you are sitting in the theatre and hearing a Queen song or a 90s pop ballad or you are hearing a jazz number that, up until that very point, had nothing to do with Vincent Van Gogh’s life.
“And now all of a sudden you hear it almost for the first time again, for two reasons. Firstly, the pieces have been rearranged and the stylistics of them reworked into Van Gogh’s life and then, of course, because they are telling his story. The second part, without being weird, is singing songs. It’s amazing.
“The emotional depth that a story like Van Gogh pulls you into is extremely rewarding. Having people have an emotional experience in that context, is lovely.”
After the limited run of “Vincent”, Anderson shared: “I’ve got one more season of ‘Vincent’ and ‘Mad About The Boys’. We are doing a back-to-back, week after week in Somerset West in September.
“And then, very, very exciting. I’m joining the Johannesburg pantomime of Janice Honeymoon from October 30 until December 22. I’m very excited about that.
“After that, there are two works in development. We have a musical piece on the life of Charlie Chaplin, which will premiere at Theatre on the Square sometime next year. Also, a first time for me, a non-musical production, which we hope to stage there next year.”
Where: Theatre on the Square.
When: Tonight until August 14, at 7.30pm on Tuesday to Friday.
Cost: Ticket prices vary from R175 for pensioners and students to R220.There are group discounts available too. Book through Computicket or with the theatre box office.
Romeo & Juliet
William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy is brought to life.
The play tells the story of Romeo and Juliet, who come from feuding families in the city of Verona. Despite the hostility between their families, Romeo and Juliet fall deeply in love and are determined to be together.
Their love, however, is complicated by the ongoing feud between the Montagues and the Capulets.
As their relationship unfolds in secret, the young couple's love is put to the test by the constant violence and animosity between their families, leading to a series of tragic events.
The play explores themes of love, fate, and the consequences of unchecked hostility, ultimately culminating in a heart-wrenching and devastating conclusion.
Where: Soweto Theatre:
When: Runs until August 23, 11am.
Cost: R100 through Webtickets.