SHE may only be 16-years-old, but Jamie Manning is fast becoming a celebrated playwright in her own right.
The enterprising Amanzimtoti High School grade 10 pupil has written and directed her second play to raise funds for St Mary’s Anglican Church in Warner Beach, where her father Andrew is the pastor.
Last year she wrote and co-directed ‘A Trip Down Memory Lane’ with her mother Michelle.
Andrew also stars in her latest production, which opens to the public at the end of July.
“For ‘Once Upon A Fairy Tale’ I’ve taken the most popular Disney characters and combined them in different stories,” said Jamie.”I started writing the script in September when we finished A Trip Down Memory Lane, but it’s changed so much, I don’t remember how it started.”
In ‘A Trip Down Memory Lane’ Jamie and co-star Annell Moya, a 17-year-old schoolmate, rummaged through her grandmother’s attic and found a stash of old records. The musical featured golden oldies such as Queen and The Beatles.
‘Once Upon A Fairy Tale’ answers the question “Have you ever wondered what would happen if Snow White and Cinderella fell in love with the same prince?”
All funds raised from Jamie Manning’s production go to the church and the Toti public is urged to support this young playwright.
It also sticks to the musical genre, but added to classics from the likes of Abba, audiences will enjoy some modern pop songs from Taylor Swift and Katy Perry in between favourite sing-alongs from Disney movies.
“I prefer to start rehearsing before I’ve finished writing the script. We started in February, which was a bit late because I was involved with our school’s production of Les Miserables. I find it better if my production time is stretched out, as I can add ideas as I go along and the production is not rushed,” said Jamie, who has had a short story published in the Surviving High School newspaper.
“In 2013 my dad directed ‘Dinner For One’ as a church fundraiser. In 2014 we didn’t do a play, so last year I decided I wanted to do something. My mom gave me the idea for A Trip Down Memory Lane and I took it from there.”
Jamie took acting lessons for a year with the Durban-based Rising Star Performance Arts company when it held classes in Toti which were taught by her school’s drama teacher last year. She obtained a merit pass in a level four acting exam through the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and received half-colours for drama.
“I think being around acting inspired me to write and direct. I find it challenging to act in my own productions. Most of my fellow actors are my own age, so to have the authority on stage to direct them is difficult.”
In ‘Once Upon A Fairy Tale’ Jamie is joined on stage by schoolmates Luvuyo Luthuli and Liberty Cele, Owen Surmon who matriculated from Kingsway High last year and plays an evil stepfather. “Owen is a natural comedian. My dad plays King Charming, Prince Charming’s father.
For both evening shows, doors open at 6pm with curtains up at 6.30pm.
It depends on the production, but if I have a good enough cast, I will consider not performing. For A Trip Down Memory I struggled to find a group that could work together. The actors in Once Upon A Fairy Tale go to Toti High, so this play has been much easier to direct.”
All funds raised from Jamie Manning’s production go to the church and the Toti public is urged to support this young playwright.
“I would love to continue with writing and directing after school, but I think that’s a bit of a pipe dream. I will continue putting on plays to raise funds for the church until I can grow my fan base and then hold performances in other venues.
If I get a big break or an opportunity to pursue it after school, that would be a dream come true. For now I will see where it goes.”
Once Upon A Fairy Tale is being staged at St Mary’s Anglican Church hall on Friday and Saturday, 22 and 23 July. Friday night’s show costs R50 per person and the audience is welcome to take along their own snacks. Saturday afternoon’s show at 12.30pm for 1pm costs R30, which includes tea and cake. Saturday night’s show costs R70 per person, which includes a meal.
For both evening shows, doors open at 6pm with curtains up at 6.30pm. There is a cash bar available for all shows and the public is urge to support the bar.
To book or for more information, email jamie.manning3@yahoo.com or call 031-916-2777. Make contact with Jamie on her website www.jamiemanning3.wix.com/jmanningproductions or her Facebook page ‘Jamie Manning Productions‘.
