By BRUCE DENNILL
Finding The Light: An Evening With Musical Theatre Stars is the culmination of a coordinated international fundraising drive with the Kolisi Foundation. The Kolisi Foundation was set up by Siya and Rachel Kolisi in 2019 to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing South African communities. The line-up features Lucy Tops (Kinky Boots, Funny Girl, The Romantix), Jonathan Roxmouth (Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Cats), Lynelle Kenned (West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Orpheus in Africa) and Tshepo Ncokoane (Janice Honeyman’s Peter Pan Pantomine, Kinky Boots, We Will Rock You). With music by the full Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Brandon Phillips (CPO Resident Conductor) and hosted by Marc Lottering, the performances will also feature international guest stars Kim Criswell (Olivier-award nominated for Annie Get Your Gun; “Lucy” opposite Sting in 3 Penny Opera; Cats); Michael D Xavier (Joe in Sunset Boulevard opposite Hollywood film star Glenn Close; Joe Bradley in Roman Holiday The Musical; ITV’s Grantchester); David Habbin, (West Side Story, Les Misérables, Amici Forever, and co-founder of the Finding the Light Foundation) and Nikki Renée Daniels (Company; The Book of Mormon; Les Misérables; Hamilton).
Tops talks about preparing for an event like this.
Live performance: the thrill versus the nerves – where are you on that curve as a new show starts?
I get butterflies, but it’s mostly from excitement rather than nerves. I suppose, as I’ve gotten older, I have learned to enjoy myself and worry less.
How do you find a balance during rehearsals or other preparation?
That can be quite challenging at times, especially being a mother of an almost four-year-old. I’ve now learned to say no or carve out a schedule that, if I can help it, won’t overwhelm me. It depends on the project too. Sometimes I like to take things very slowly and let it all sink in, but most of the time you have to roll with what life throws at you – it doesn’t always go to plan. Usually, we are juggling many things and working around schedules and deadlines. I make sure to find time for myself, mentally and physically, even if I have to sacrifice a lot of social time.
In a best-case scenario, what are you looking for in a role? What is the main basis for that decision – the script, the people involved, the challenge to your skills, the impact (positive or negative) it might have on your life in general, or perhaps something else?
All of the above! At the end of the day, I want to be in an environment that, simply put, makes me feel happy. I know it sounds cliche but it is the truth. I love being surrounded by people who value what we do as much as I do and inspire me; who work hard, but still have fun. People who are obsessed with music and give their all, are inspiring to me. And to be in a place of mutual respect. I love a challenge and will always give it a bash, even if it scares me. Usually that is where the magic is. Perhaps, the older I get, my focus will be more on other aspects, but for right now, that’s all I’m looking for.
Acting or singing is often a vocation, a thing you can’t not do. How true is that for you now? Has it changed over the years – for practical, perhaps banal reasons? And how do you, or would you like to, keep your calling front and centre in your life?
My love for acting is still very much from the childlike place of make-believe – to walk in someone else’s shoes. I love the time-travelling feeling I experience on some productions. From the sets and costume design to the different genres of music. I think I would just pine away into nothingness if I couldn’t be on stage anymore, or at least be creative. I would like to continue to grow, evolve and keep on doing this forever. Please don’t be taking over our jobs anytime soon, AI! The older I get, the more different the experience will be. That’s exciting to me.
What are the toughest expectations to deliver on – all the way from the first audition to the end of the run?
To bring it. Every night.
Tell us about Finding The Light and what makes it interesting to be part of?
I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this line up. For many years, I have always been the alternate or understudy, which is a bittersweet experience. I have been working on myself and staying ready. Now I get to stand in line with these phenomenal performers – many of whom I have looked up to over the years – and share the light. I feel incredibly proud and excited to sing my heart out. I have always dreamed of singing with the CPO so this is also a bucket list moment for me. All the years gone by and all the lessons I’ve learned will be poured into this performance so expect an emotionally charged, electrical show!