BILLY SUTER chats to one of Durban’s most talented and versatile exports, actress and director JANNA RAMOS-VIOLANTE who, now based in Austria, will be returning to KwaZulu-Natal in August to appear at the Hilton Arts Festival – at Hilton College over the weekend of August 8 to 10. The award-winning actress will perform there in an acclaimed solo drama, Girls and Boys, directed by Durban’s Steven Stead. Janna discusses the play and also her film-making endeavours and future plans.
“GIRLS AND BOYS” WILL BE PERFORMED AT HILTON COLLEGE’S MEMORIAL HALL AT 5PM ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, AND 8PM ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, AS PART OF THE HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL. THE DRAMA OFFERS AN UNFLINCHING LOOK AT GENDER, AMBITION AND THE QUIET ROOTS OF VIOLENCE. TICKETS FOR THE 80-MINUTE PRODUCTION COST R180 EACH. BOOK ON THE FESTIVAL SITE: hiltonfestival.co.za
TELL us about “Girls and Boys”. What attracted you to the play and what you would say to people to encourage them to see it?
You know, it’s not often I read a play and instantly feel – I have to tell this story. But Girls and Boys hit me like that. It’s so deeply human, and it opens up this really important window into how we, often without even realising it, tolerate or even encourage toxic masculinity.
The writing is just… electric. It’s so connected – to the character, to the audience, to the heart of the story. And it creates this really intimate, vulnerable space between the actor and the audience. It feels more like sharing than performing – and that kind of connection is what I live for on stage.
You performed “Girls and Boys” in Salzburg, Austria, in May last year and got your Durban director friend Steven Stead, of KickstArt, to direct it there? How did that come about?
I’m the artistic consultant for the International Theatre Salzburg at the Salzburg State Theatre, and I work closely with the artistic director to curate the English-speaking season. We’d been waiting patiently for the rights to Girls and Boys to become available in Austria – and the moment they did, we jumped at the chance to produce it.
One of the core aims of this branch of the theatre is to build creative bridges across continents, so bringing in international voices and artistic excellence is always a top priority. That’s why Steven Stead was an obvious choice for me as director. He’s an incredibly sensitive and brilliant storyteller with a real gift for finding the emotional heartbeat of a piece. He brought so much depth, clarity and care to the production.
The play became part of The International Theatre’s season at the Salzburg State Theatre and was performed in English.
How did it come about that the show is coming to the Hilton Arts Festival – and what are you most looking forward to about that?
When late festival director Sue Clarence saw that we were producing Girls and Boys in Salzburg – and that there was a South African connection – she kindly invited us to bring the show to the festival last year.
At the time, I was working on another production in Salzburg, so I couldn’t make it. It feels quite special that the stars have aligned this year. I haven’t been on a South African stage since I emigrated in 2017, so to be coming home with this piece is both deeply moving and incredibly exciting.
The Durban theatre community is where I grew up, so this really feels like a full-circle moment. I’m returning now as a mother, playing a character who is herself a mother of two, and doing so under the direction of someone who has profoundly shaped my career.
Steven and I have poured so much love and care into this production, and to be sharing it with South African audiences means the world to me. At this stage, there are no further South African dates planned – so this opportunity feels all the more precious.
You and Steven Stead have worked together a lot – how many productions in total? What do you most enjoy about his directing style?
Steven and I have worked together in more than a dozen productions, and I’ve always felt incredibly safe in his hands. He creates a space that’s playful, open, sensitive and supportive – all the things an actor needs to build something honest and real.
We have a very honest relationship, and I value that immensely. Every project we’ve done together has been memorable in its own way. We dig deep, we laugh, we cry, we challenge each other – and it’s never, ever dull. That kind of creative partnership is rare, and I don’t take it for granted.
How long have you, your husband and two children been living in Austria? And how often do you visit South Africa?
We’ve been living in Salzburg for eight years now. We try to get back to South Africa at least once a year to visit family and friends; most of my family and closest friends are still there. We were back over Christmas last year, which was really special. It’s always such a joy to reconnect.
When last (and in what) did you perform in SA and when last did you perform (and in what) in Durban?
The last project I was part of in South Africa was Blonde Poison – a production at Daphne Kuhn’s Theatre on the Square in Johannesburg, starring Fiona Ramsay. That was just before we left, and I was already pregnant with my daughter, Ray, at the time. Interestingly, I think the last time I was actually on stage in South Africa was in Mike Bartlett’s Contractions at the 2016 Hilton Arts Festival!
You originally left Durban to pursue your career in Johannesburg. How long did you stay in Gauteng, and when and why did you decide to settle in Austria?
I left Durban in 2012 and spent five absolutely wonderful years in Gauteng. My husband, Markus, and I had always had our sights set on broader horizon. It was always part of the plan to eventually settle somewhere else. Markus is Austrian, which naturally made Austria an attractive option for us.
Where exactly is home now in Austria (and are you close to the Sound of Music filming sites)?
We live in a beautiful, semi-detached house on the edge of Salzburg city. I’m actually very close to some of the iconic Sound of Music sights – they’re part of my daily life now, which still feels a bit surreal!
Our little Toy Pom, Kenny Snow, made the move with us from South Africa. He’s an old boy now, but still full of beans… and he absolutely loves the snow.
What are the names and ages of your children, where were they born – and are any of them showing signs of following in your footsteps?
Ray is my daughter (she’s seven) and my son, Fenn, is four. Both were born in Salzburg. They’ve grown up surrounded by theatre and film. They’re always at the theatre with Markus or me, and they spend their summers on film sets.
They’ve absorbed a lot through osmosis, I think! Both of them are very creative, and they can already give you a pretty spectacular rendition of a few Stephen Sondheim numbers… Broadway Baby is the top hit in our house. Whether they’ll follow in our footsteps is still too early to say, but I secretly hope so!
What does Markus do for a living there and what are favourite things you like to do as a family?
Markus is the head of the workshop at the Salzburg State Theatre, and together we run a film production company called Thinskin Productions OG. We really do love doing everything as a family. With two energetic kids, we try to be outdoors as much as possible: whether it’s hiking, exploring or just running around.
We love having new experiences together, but honestly, the everyday moments are just as special. Sitting around the table at the end of the day, or cuddling up on the couch… those are the things that really matter to us.
What do you most enjoy about Austria – and what do you most miss about South Africa and Johannesburg, and Durban in particular?
I love how central Salzburg is in Europe – you can be in a different country in just a few hours. And being close to the Mediterranean is a real bonus: it’s my favourite part of the ocean. I love how green it is here, and the sense of history that’s everywhere you turn. There’s a lot I really appreciate about living here.
Of course, I miss South Africa too. I miss its warmth, its people, the vibrance and the buzz. Mostly, I miss my tribe. But hey, the world is small.
How did you crack the theatre scene in Austria, what is your current main focus in this regard now, and what have been among highlights for you in the theatre world in Austria?
Hard work and determination, I guess. For me, it was never really a question of whether I was going to make it – I’ve always been creatively independent. There may have been a time earlier in my life when I relied on others for work, but I put that to bed in my twenties. In South Africa, you have to create your own opportunities to survive in the industry, and I think being cut from that cloth really helped when I moved to Austria.
In my first year here, I wrote, directed, and produced a play. I believe in keeping momentum; creatively and in life. I like movement, growth. Becoming the head of the International Theatre Salzburg was a real milestone for me. It was something I initiated, and it’s grown into something I’m incredibly proud of.
I’ve also had the joy of bringing brilliant South African talent into the mix – like Fiona Ramsay, who directed me in Shirley Valentine at the Salzburg State Theatre; and Steven Stead, who directed me in Girls and Boys, also at the State Theatre. Those were definite highlights. And my first time performing in German was another one. I was proud of myself for being able to hold a stage in a language that isn’t my own.
Looking back, there have been a lot of highlights. I’m grateful for every one of them.
How many plays have you written (and staged) and is any other new theatre writing in the pipeline?
I’ve written and staged nine plays, and written and produced two feature films, with fundraising for another taking place now. This year is another busy one: I’ll be writing, directing and producing a new play based on the life of Maria Callas, which will be staged at The OFF Theatre in Salzburg later in the year. Then, toward the end of the year, I’m writing and directing a new play for the Salzburg State Theatre, inspired by a Sherlock Holmes novel.
Tell us more about your film projects.
At the end of 2023, I decided it was time to make my first feature film. I’d been sitting on the idea for The Retreat for Very (Very, Very, Very) Sad People for five years – I just couldn’t shake it. Over the years in Salzburg, I’d met some truly incredible artists and people whose talent inspired me and gave me the confidence to believe that, with the right team, this film could be made.
As an unknown filmmaker, it’s tough to get a film funded through traditional routes, so I turned to crowdfunding. A GoFundMe campaign felt like the most direct way to bring this dream to life. We made the entire film in just five days on a budget of €18 000 and we finished it fairly recently. It is now heading into festival and distribution strategy and planning.
The crowdfunding campaign was one of the most moving experiences of my life. Every single Euro felt like someone whispering in my ear, “I believe in you, Janna. Keep going.” It carried me through. And I can’t even begin to express my gratitude to the creatives who worked on the film – their time, talent and passion were the backbone of this entire project. Without them, none of it would’ve been possible.
It’s a thrilling time. That feeling of realising a dream, especially one made possible by so many people. It’s completely surreal.
Last year, we also shot our second feature film, Mein Soldat, based on my stage play, and that’s now in post-production. We’re also in development for our third feature film. So yes – it’s a very busy time… but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Can you tell us more about the new movie being planned?
It’s La Fantasia, a deeply personal, poetic film about grief, imagination and healing. It follows Sebastian, a father retreating to a crumbling villa in Tuscany after the loss of his daughter, where memory and fantasy blur. It is a small film with a big heart and we are currently fund-raising for it.
La Fantasia speaks to anyone who has ever lived with loss, or escaped into imagination to survive it. It’s raw, strange, tender and real. We have a clear production plan, experienced collaborators and a flexible schedule that allows us to adapt if unexpected hurdles arise.
What has proved your most challenging stage role – and are there any dream roles you would love to tackle?
All the roles I’ve played have come with their own challenges; otherwise, it would be boring! Sometimes it’s the accent, sometimes the language – like performing in German. Sometimes it’s the material itself, like with Girls and Boys, which is emotionally intense and demands a lot.
Playing a one-woman Hamlet was also… well, let’s just say it definitely wasn’t easy. But I think that kind of goes without saying! Hahaha.
As for dream roles… I definitely have a few tucked away in my back pocket, but I’m keeping them close for now. I don’t want to tempt fate.
Have you had any embarrassing and/or unintentionally amusing moments on stage? Do tell….
I once fell backwards off a chair while trying to do a sexy head flick. It was definitely not sexy. More like a slow-motion comedy moment. I still get shivers of embarrassment when I think about it… and then I guffaw!
Where and when were you born, how did you get bitten by the acting bug and when did you graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal?
I was born in Durban and I’m an ’80s baby. I’ve always said I was born an actor. I think most of us are. It’s one of those professions that chooses you, not the other way around.
I graduated with a BA in Drama and Performance Studies and German back in… gosh, I think it was 2005. Feels like eons ago now!
Remind me of your first professional theatre experiences, and what would you rate as your big break?
My big break was in KickstArt’s production of Dangerous Liaisons, directed by Steven Stead. I continued to work for KickstArt after that. I was very lucky. I had some fabulous roles as an ingénue. Carol in Oleanna and Catherine in Boston Marriage – unforgettable experiences!
What do you rate as three theatre career highlights?
Shew, it’s really hard to choose just three! I try to celebrate every experience for what it is. I honestly love almost every role I play and tend to fall in love with almost everyone I work with. I feel very lucky to do what I do. That said, starting my film production company with my husband was definitely a huge career highlight for me. it was a big leap, and it’s been incredibly rewarding.
Away from theatre and film worlds, how do you relax? Hobbies, pastimes, favourite things?
I love to walk, I love to meditate, I love preparing beautiful meals. I love swimming in lakes, reading, watching films, and spending time with my family and the special people in my life.
Any other comments?
Thank you, Billy. it’s been wonderful taking a trip down memory lane with you. These interviews have always been really special to me.
.....SoSuterBill..... 