Standing ovations greet Young Performers Project’s ‘The Prince of Egypt’
The Young Performers Project has, for the past more than 25 years, faithfully staged an annual musical theatre production with a youthful cast and a professional production team.
The first weekend of the latest Young Performers Project, The Prince of Egypt, has enjoyed full houses, standing ovations and enthusiastic audiences.
This sweeping epic of a musical is now running over the mid-year school holidays in the Playhouse Opera until July 19.
Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as Ramses and Moses, two young men raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past.
One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever.
The musical, until now not well known to Durban audiences, offers incredible opportunities for its young cast, with some standout performances.
The production would not be out of place on any major professional platform. The cast of 134 youngsters features 60 senior scholars, and 74 junior scholars from 42 different schools.
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The Prince of Egypt is directed by theatrical maestro, Roberto Pombo, making his inspired YPP debut, with choreography by Evashnee Pillay, music direction by Des Govender, sound design by Ant Govender, set and prop design by Nicolene Steyn, lighting design by Evan le Roux, and costumes by Kathy Singery.
“The Prince of Egypt gives us a message of hope, courage, faith and the belief that even in our darkest moments, miracles are possible. In our current socio-political climate, stories like these are important as they remind us that compassion, resilience and unity can overcome even the greatest obstacles,” said director, Roberto Pombo.
The musical is a stage adaptation of the 1998 DreamWorks film, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Shwartz, multi-Grammy winner and the writer of Wicked, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and orchestral composition by the legendary Hanz Zimmer, book by Philip LaZebnik. The production features Schwartz’s Academy Award-winning duet, When You Believe, made famous by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.
The Young Performers Project has, for the past more than 25 years, faithfully staged an annual musical theatre production with a youthful cast and a professional production team to provide the next generation of theatre practitioners with valuable experience of performing in a professional context.
In recent years, to provide maximum experience for the youngsters, and theatre options for audiences, YPP has staged up to three productions a year: over the Easter, July and Christmas holidays.
In recent years, they have staged The Little Mermaid Jr, Annie, Shrek, Elf the Musical and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
