…..SoSuterBill…..

BILLY SUTER chats to Tshepo Ncokoane, who fills the high heels and corset of sweet transvestite Frank-N-Furter, in KickstArt’s production of the classic musical, The Rocky Horror Show, running at Durban’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until October 12. Directed by Steven Stead and designed by Greg King, with costumes by Monaco-based Terrence Bray, the show highlights a live band, with musical direction by Evan Roberts. Also appearing in the production are Bryan Hiles as Brad, Keryn Lynn Scott as Janet, Schoeman Smit as Riff Raff, Belinda Henwood as Magenta, Kaylee McIlroy as Columbia, William Young as Rocky, Lyle Buxton as Eddie/Dr Scott, and Michael Gritten as The Narrator. The show also features the talents of Blessing Xaba, Roshanda Lewis, Amahle Tembe and Carl Oosthuizen. Booking is at Webtickets.
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TELL ME ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF PLAYING SWEET TRANSVESTITE SCIENTIST FRANK-N-FURTER IN KICKSTART’S “THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW” ?

Whoa, how does one take on any beloved role without internal or external pressure. I think, more than anything, with Frank, the challenge would be balancing the nostalgia the loyal fans are expecting, while also allowing my creative expression to contribute to the experience. All while hoping they’ll be willing to come along with me on the ride, and not dismiss me before they see that I am playing both sides, hopefully well. Haha.

WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE SO SPECIAL OR APPEALING FOR YOU?

It’s no secret, I’ve played some of the best drag or queer roles in theatre, so to add perhaps the most long-standing jewel to my crown needs no explanation, just a yes and showing up. There’s such a power in Frank because he carries a true essence of freedom of self. Being able to stand in that sun may very well equip me with an everlasting boldness to radiate – no matter what!

THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST TIME IN HIGH HEELS – YOU WERE IN CAPE TOWN’S “KINKY BOOTS” CAST AND ALSO AMONG THE FINE CAST OF THE TOURING “PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT” MUSICAL. WHAT PARTS DID YOU FILL IN THOSE PRODUCTIONS – AND WHAT MEMORIES OF THOSE SHOWS?

Well, in the order of their happening… 22/23-year-old Tshepo learnt from Miss Understanding, a Tina Turner Impersonator, in Priscilla, that I had what it took. You see, that was my first ever featured role, so for it to happen only two years into the industry was such a daunting task, but somewhere between the powers of drag and the force that is Tina, I happened. The penny dropped and it was off to the races from then on.

Two years later, one of musical theatre’s most iconic roles happened to our country and to me, alongside Earl Gregory, for whom I was the alternate Lola in Kinky Boots. Having done all 244 shows, either as an Angel, my co-feature role with three other phenoms of dance and musical theatre, or as Lola, I discovered a permission to dare. To dare to trust yourself and the recipe within you; to dare to dream wildly and be willing to climb every mountain to see those dreams come true. But most importantly, I learnt a fresh kind of trust in my belonging to the magical business of theatre making. Something unlocked in me when I saw myself rise to such a high table of responsibility, a gift I’ve been employing in every show since.

But back to the shoes, I learnt my ankles can rock six inches of stiletto for eight hours at a time and THAT, let me tell you, is the best reward from those two world-class productions.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PEOPLE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO SEE KICKSTART’S “THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW”?

If you’re someone who’s designed for a good time and isn’t afraid of a little risqué laugh, then this is the show for you. What makes this body of work great, is the fact that there are moments of true heart amidst all the entendre, fishnets and heels. Dare to advance and see a production that can inspire in more ways than one.

WHEN AND WHY WERE YOU LAST IN DURBAN – AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO MOST RECENTLY?

My last production before this one was just as pandemic rules were lightening. It was The Cabaret and Beyond Festival Showcase in 2021. This was a fully sung-through body of work where songwriters, playwrights and composers nationwide were tasked to submit original music theatre songs, then a panel selected the finalist pieces to be performed live. The winning creative would get funding to help develop their material into a full-on production.

Before that, I was in the ensemble of Camelot in 2018. I was called upon then by KickstArt in a moment of emergency, when one of the cast suffered an unfortunate injury that rendered them unavailable for the rest of the production.

I have honestly been so fortunate to have had a career that spans the three major cities in the nation and the theatre industry. Which is the perfect segue for me to say I have just concluded a run of Disney’s The Magic Box, which began in Cape Town, went to Joburg then on to Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Macau, China for 11 months. I had three weeks to say hello to family, hug and play with my six nieces and a nephew, then drive down to Durban to entertain audiences here.

I RECALL YOU AS A KNIGHT IN KICKSTART’S “CAMELOT” AND ALSO PERFORMING IN DURBAN’S “CABARET AND BEYOND FESTIVAL SHOWCASE”, BOTH DIRECTED BY KICKSTART’S STEVEN STEAD. WHAT FURTHER COMMENT ON BOTH OF THOSE PROJECTS?

I remember my first-ever professional production, a pantomime in Johannesburg, under the direction of the incomparable Janice Honeyman. She mentioned that if you don’t learn from every production you’re in, you might as well stop doing the work because you’re in the way. There’s a gift, a nudge, a lesson, a humbling, an advancing, a healing, an unearthing, a conquering and more in every production.

Being trusted to save the day in Camelot was such an honour because in that moment I knew, the production company had agreed to trust me to step in and ensure that the proposed schedule happened as expected, regardless of my late arrival. With the CAB Festival – scary times. I was among those able, chosen, available and willing to take on unknown work and material, embue it with myself, then treat it with the same honour I would a lauded international musical. The privilege to put on a human’s story, fictional or not, is an honour unlike any other.

WHAT OTHER INVOLVEMENT HAVE YOU HAD WITH DURBAN’S KICKSTART – AND DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER FUTURE PLANS WITH THE COMPANY?

My second job in this industry was Kickstart’s Shrek The Musical, in Johannesburg, where I served as a swing – the person who can step in for any role. This was my first time in such a role … and it was tested, as a cast member unfortunately suffered a seizure on stage, due to an epileptic condition. Once again, the act of being trusted with such responsibilities calls you to a higher level of response and, my goodness, dare I say, I have responded to some asks over the last decade of making theatre magic.

As for the future, we never know what lies ahead until a casting season is upon us. But if history is anything to go by, I have good standing in the KickstArt house and I could never not return to a land of perpetual summer… so there will definitely be more of me on Durban stages.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT IN “THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW” – AND WHY?

Performing I’m Going Home. In a world of make-up, gags, entendre, wild statements and decadence, this song showcases the heart of my character, Frank, when he is facing a very real consequence of his actions. It is where I feel hearts will be earned toward his side.

WHERE TO FOR YOU AFTER “ROCKY HORROR” – AND WHAT PLANS FOR YOU LOOKING EVEN FURTHER AHEAD?

I have 14 days after we finish here in Durban to get to Cape Town, where I’ll be forming part of the cast for the immortal musical Cats. I’m most excited to take on something that is so far removed from my natural style, but also to take on something so eternally iconic. That show will go on for just under two years, touring the greater Asia region and the Middle East.

WHERE AND WHEN WERE YOU BORN AND HOW DID YOU GET TO FOLLOW A SHOWBIZ CAREER?

I was born in the Vaal, a month shy of the democratic vote so I boast the claim of being a month older than democratic South Africa. As for showbiz, that bug bit me in 2010 when I saw the South African production of Dreamgirls. I haven’t looked back since.

WHAT MARKED YOUR PROFESSIONAL STAGE DEBUT… AND WHAT MEMORIES OF THAT?

It was a pantomime in 2015, Sleeping Beauty. I have sung on many a church stage (my parents are pastors) since I was five years old, but the professional stage was a different ballgame, universe and reality. That was on the Nelson Mandela stage at The Joburg Theatre complex, one of the best stages, if not the most technically equipped, in the country.

The lessons, patience and support I had then will forever be what set me up for the career I have had the honour of pathing out over the last 10 years.

WHAT FORMAL SHOWBIZ TRAINING HAVE YOU HAD, WHAT ACCOLADES HAVE YOU HAD… AND WHAT HAVE BEEN AMONG BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHS?

I went to TUT (Tshwane University of Technology) from 2012 to 2015.

I have had SAT Mag, Broadway World, Fleur du Cap and Naledi Theatre Award nominations in the Male Featured Role and Male Leading Role categories. I’ve won a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award in the Male Featured Role Category (for Angel in Kinky Boots).

As for career highs, it’s been working alongside folk you’ve admired as you’ve aspired to join the ranks. I won’t name names for fear of excluding giants from giants but, my goodness, what a ride!!

ANY UNFULFILLED GOALS?

I have never gone into work with goals, but rather with the intention of putting my best foot forward. The foot has set me on a path I could’ve never even imagined, and for that I remain ever grateful. So I think I’ll just keep putting that best foot forward and let it keep leading the way to the next phenomenal thing we are to walk on/through.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED THESE DAYS?

I was born and will always live – when in South Africa – in Gauteng. That’s home. I know it, I breathe it, I understand it. So I think it fair to call it my home base. But while in Durban, I am hidden on the Berea.

WHAT FIVE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU?

Faithful. Boisterous. Effervescent. Still. Eager.

WHAT ARE FIVE THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF (HOWEVER TRIVIAL) THAT PEOPLE ARE UNLIKELY TO KNOW?

1. I thoroughly prefer alone time away from the masses.

2. I’m often surprised at my capacity for people.

3. I have time for children loooooooooooooong before I have time for adults.

4. I hate messes and properly struggle with disorder. I have a mild case of OCD.

5. I prefer indulging other people’s gifts than my own.

YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT ON STAGE?

On an opening night of a musical theatre performance for a corporate event, I missed some lyrics from a song from a very famous musical. I sang revised English that still rhymed, but did not belong there – and we all knew!

YOUR MOST MEMORABLY PLEASING MOMENT ON STAGE?

The first time I stepped on stage as the Lola Alternate in Kinky Boots. It was ahead of the planned schedule and it went off without a single crisis. That remains an everlasting favourite moment.

HOBBIES, PASTIMES AND FAVOURITE THINGS?

I’m a long distance runner. I thoroughly enjoy reading and I am obsessed with good series – never comedy, though.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR YEAR SO FAR?

Honestly, I think it was going from “OMG, what will I do after The Magic Box“, to “Whoo Hoo: I am fully booked for three years!”

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED – AND WHO GAVE IT?

“Your talent is like a block of ham. You decide how much you slice off to give away and what that means for how much you have left” – Jolanda Becker

WHAT ALTERNATIVE CAREER PATHS MIGHT YOU HAVE CONSIDERED – AND WHY?

I have always imagined myself wealthy and never without, so a career in finance was always on the cards. I was a “brainiac” in school.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE ENSCRIBED ON YOUR TOMBSTONE?

Ooh, I don’t know. Actually, I never think about death so I don’t have an answer for this one. I don’t live to die, I die to live – daily.