JOBURG – This was a meeting like no other when funny voices, joking, acting and occasional seriousness were present at Stages Restaurant at the Joburg Theatre.
Six cast members of the brand-new Janice Honeyman pantomime, Robin Hood and the Babes in the Woods, talk about the pantomime and what people can expect.
LJ Urbani, Clive Gilson and Phumi Mncayi from Sundowner, Teekay Baloyi from Berario, Kyra Green from Victory Park and Graham Hopkins from Emmarentia, sat relaxed, before returning to rehearsals.
Urbani explained that he’s playing the wicked witch and evil stepmother. “It is typical pantomime-style to have a man dressed as a woman.”
Hopkins, from Emmarentia, joked and said that he’s the old member of the cast. “My very first pantomime was 29 years ago when I portrayed Grumpy in Snow White,” he said.
Gilson plays Lenny the Loser. It is his third year in a row where he’s performed in a pantomime.
It is Green’s first pantomime. She explained that she is Gretel, which contributes to the babes in the woods element.
Baloyi is an ensemble member, which means he portrays more than one character. Mncayi is from Saturday Night Fever fame and is playing Little John.
The actors all agreed that there are many challenges with a pantomime like this. “The physicality of the costumes is a problem as well as the children screaming in excitement. It is difficult to hear yourself at times,” said Urbani.
Being an ensemble member, Baloyi said that he sometimes has only minutes to switch between characters and costumes. “It can, however, be exciting,” he said.
Green spoke with enthusiam, “The moment you step onto the stage, all the pressure of the rehearsal goes away.” Gilson explained that there is a mix of feelings when he steps onto the stage. “It is fear, anxiety and excitement,” she said. Hopkins said that all the hard work is worth it if you see a child smiling in the audience.
Baloyi added that people should watch the pantomime as it is such a great family tradition. Urbani concluded saying that a pantomime can’t be compared to anything. “It is so instant. This is the real deal,” he said.
The pantomime begins on 5 November and will run until 30 December.
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