Artscape 10 - Celebrating 10 years of change, diversity and a new name Arstcape on 8 November 2009

Celebrating 10 years of change, diversity and a new name ARTSCAPE has planned a star studded evening of entertainment representing the rich cultures and performing arts of the Western Cape.  ‘ARTSCAPE 10’ is to be held in the newly refurnished Opera House on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 19:00. Booking is open for this spectacular event directed by Paul Warwick Griffin. Janine Neethling is the musical director and Richard Cock will conduct the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO).

 
From laities to legends, classics to jazz, traditional and contemporary genres form the programme. And, together with the magic of the CPO, Sibongele Khumalo, Jazz Art Dance Theatre, Latosi 'Madosini' Mphahleni, the Umtyityimbo Dance Group (picture below and above left), Zip Zap Circus, Jikeleza, André Schwartz, Laurika Rauch, Sibongile Mngoma, Emo Adams, Cape Town City Ballet, Vadhini Indian Arts Academy, African Chord Melodies and Voices of the Nation (Cape Town Opera), this unique occasion promises to be an unforgettable evening not to be missed.

Tickets for ARTSCAPE 10 cost R100 and R150 and may be purchased from Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421-7695, Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers outlets or on line www.computicket.com.

Established 40 years ago, as the official performing arts council for the Western Cape, and re-launched as the Artscape Theatre Centre in 1999, Artscape has today developed into a vibrant, multi-functional creative arts centre, offering exceptional venue facilities and specialist theatrical services.  (picture left - Latosi 'MADOSINI' Mphahleni)

Artscape is committed to making an investment in the artists and audiences of the future, and has established a comprehensive audience development and outreach programme, a technical training programme and a writing programme.  Artscape’s emphasis is on sustainable theatre practice, education and development.

Michael Maas, CEO of Artscpe states: ‘This vibrant and diverse organisation is proud to be associated with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Cape Town Opera, Cape Town City Ballet, Jazzart Dance Theatre and the Siyasanga Cape Town Theatre Company, all of whom form such an integral part of the Artscape family. Artscape also proudly hosts international productions and supports and stages local community arts organisations and artists, all of which keep the performing arts alive on our stages. As we celebrate the refurbishment of the Artscape Opera House, we are confident that the arts will continue to grow and add value to all our people and all our communities as well as inspire our artists to produce work that is new, creative and a reflection of our diverse and dynamic society. 

Emo Adams

Andre Schwartz

Profiles:

Paul Warwick Griffin - Director
With an international career spanning some 15 years, Paul has an extensive list of credits in just about every aspect of the theatrical arena. Theatrical highlights include The Rocky Horror Show, Queen at the Opera, Hair, Camelot, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, The Madness of George III, The Visit, Macbeth, Fiddler on the Roof, All This I Know – The music of Brel and Piaf, Me and My Friend, Tick…Tick…Bang!, Imaja and Evita. As an actor, Paul has featured in no less than three separate productions of Jesus Christ Superstar in the title role of Jesus.

Industry awards have recognized his achievements, having won Vita awards for most outstanding performance in a musical for his performances as Che Guevara in Evita and as Jesus/Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.

For Pieter Toerien Productions, Paul has also directed the hugely successful Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Stepping Out – The Musical as well as HAIR – The Love Rock Musical. His production of Jesus Christ Superstar has toured to Greece and South Korea (Seoul and Busan).

For over 4 years, Paul was the Associate Director for the World Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS traveling with the production to Beirut, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, Doha, Taipei, Beijing, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Oslo and Athens.

Paul recently adapted and directed a new production of Chess, as well as Disney’s High School Musical – Live on Stage in South Africa and China. He was also a panelist for the reality TV show High School Musical – Spotlight South Africa.

Paul lives in London where his West End credits include Resident Director at the prestigious Old Vic Theatre for Sean Mathias’ production of Aladdin and, most recently, as Associate Director for The Theatre Royal Haymarket’s production of Waiting For Godot starring Sir Ian McKellen and Parick Stewart.

Janine Neethling - Musical Director
Janine hails from Cape Town and received her B.Mus degree with distinction in piano and her Honours degree in chamber music from the University of Cape Town.  Her early work in musical direction included the theatre productions of Boy Meets Boy, Queen at the Opera, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Jesus Christ Superstar and Summer Holiday. She has produced nine albums, winning the Geraas Best Album of the Year in 2002 for Amanda Strydom’s Op ’n Klein Blou Ghoen and again in 2003 for Verspreide Donderbuie, which was co-written by Amanda Strydom. Janine’s compositions include music for television productions such as Soutmansland and The Wedding Show, and for the stage productions Birdy and Death of a Salesman.

Last year Janine produced and co-wrote a new album with Amanda Strydom, Kerse Teen die Donker, which they performed in Holland.  She composed the music for Elzabé Zietsman’s comeback show Agter Glas which premiered at the KKNK.  The production went on to win the Kanna Award for best musical direction at the festival.  Janine regularly does the musical direction for the Huisgenoot Skouspel concerts at Sun City. 

In 2003 she performed at Madiba’s 85th birthday and did a solo crossover recital with Sibongile Khumalo. Janine is a regular musical director and pianist for amongst others, Sibongile Khumalo, Sibongile Mngoma and Amanda Strydom.

Richard Cock - Conductor
Richard Cock was born in Port Elizabeth and educated at Woodridge Preparatory School and the Diocesan College, Cape Town.   He pursued his musical studies at the Cape Town College of Music, and graduated in 1971.  In 1972, Richard won a scholarship to the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), where he was awarded several prizes and diplomas.  In 1978 he became Director of Music at the Cathedral Choir School and assistant organist at Chichester Cathedral.  During his years in England he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

After his return to South Africa in 1980, and as Music Director from 1991, Richard breathed new life into the National Symphony Orchestra.   His innovative spirit saw the orchestra expand its horizons with open-air events, such as the successful Emmarentia Gardens Winter Series, Musical Fireworks and Pops concerts, music in the zoo and tours from Cape Town to Cairo.

As conductor, he is in demand countrywide for the popular Last Night of the Proms concerts and Songs of Praise.  New milestones in recent years were conducting his first full-length opera, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, for PACOFS in Bloemfontein, and conducting the Julian Lloyd-Webber South Africa tour.  In 2001, he conducted the Joshua Bell tour of South Africa and that of Lynn Harrell, and he regularly conducts Starlight Classics for Rand Merchant Bank.

However, it is as a choral trainer and conductor that Richard is best known.   He was organist and director of music at St Mary’s Cathedral for 12 years and was elected a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music for his services to Church Music in South Africa. He founded the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg and the internationally recognised Chanticleer Singers 28 years ago.  Both are recognized as leaders in their respective fields.

He is chairman of the Apollo Music Trust, and until recently he was one of the Musical Directors of the Nation-Building Massed Choirs Festival.   He is on the Board of Trustees of Business Arts South Africa, and of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown.

In 1999 he left the NSO to pursue a freelance career and to stimulate music activities throughout South Africa, which he has done with marked success.    In May 2000, he received an Honorary Doctorate in music from Rhodes University.

Since then he has not only conducted symphony, choral and many major concerts in Johannesburg, but also throughout Southern Africa, plus Songs of Praise and light classical concerts titled Bach to Broadway, Flights of Fantasy and Lloyd Webber and Friends, as well as giving concerts for children and senior citizens.   He is also involved in a number of successful outreach projects in Soweto, Eldorado Park, Limpopo Province and Kimberley.