…..SoSuterBill…..

……BILLY SUTER……

DURBAN’S Young Performers’ Project (YPP) is staging the condensed musical version of the Disney musical The Little Mermaid as its first musical of the year, at Danville Park Girls’ High School’s Milkwood Theatre in Durban North.

The show, which runs about 65 minutes without an interval, will be performed from April 2 to 12 – and good news is that this site has four tickets to give away to the opening performance at 6pm for 6.30pm on Thursday, April 2. See the end of this post for details on how to enter the competition.

Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s beloved fairy tale, and based on the classic animated Disney movie, The Little Mermaid Jr  features a cast of 50 young performers, all getting valuable experience understanding what it is like to be part of a “professional” production. This time around, the show features 30 senior performers, and 21 junior performers.

YPP is Durban’s longest running youth creative arts empowerment project, and every season opens with a performance (this time at 2.30pm on Thursday, April 2) designed for autistic and special-needs people, and children and adults with sensory issues

The Little Mermaid Jr is directed by Daisy Spencer, with choreography by Evashnee Pillay, music direction by Des Govender, sound design by Ant Govender, set and prop design by Nicolene Steyn, and under-the-sea -inspired costumes by Kathy Singery. For all performances, audiences are welcome to dress up as the cast. 

In the title role of mermaid Ariel is Chloe Marot from St Mary’s DSG, last seen in YPP’s Shrek and Annie. Sebastian the crab is played by Khethukuthula Ngcobo of Durban’s International School of Performing Arts and fish Flounder is played by Azania Mavimbela of Crawford North Coast).

In a heartwarming full circle moment, Azania’s mother Sindi, a current drama teacher, reflected on her own experience as a participant in YPP’s 2009 production of Big River, directed by Themi Venturas. Her daughter Azania, who entered the project 17 years later as a Junior performer in YPP’s A Fairytale Christmas Carol, is a testament to the organisation’s lasting influence. This poignant connection also highlights the profound impact of YPP’s programmes on the lives of its alumni who are giving back to their communities as arts educators.

The Little Mermaid Jr tells of a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her voice to find true love. Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colourful friends – Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab – to restore order under the sea.

Some of the popular songs in the show are Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl and Part of Your World.

Tickets for The Little Mermaid Jr are available via Webtickets and school pupils and pensioners get a 10% discount on tickets.

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WIN 4 SHOW TICKETS… WIN 4 SHOW TICKETS…

Care to put yourself in line to win FOUR TICKETS to the 6pm-for-6.30pm, Thursday, April 2, performance of The Little Mermaid Jr, at Durban North’s Milkwood Theatre at Danville Park Girls’ High School?

You simply have to be a follower of the SoSuterBill site to win.  At no cost.

If you are not already a follower, click on the word ‘…..SoSuterBill…..’ that appears under Billy Suter’s face on the red curtain at the top of this post. Next, scroll down a little and leave your email address in the blank space alongside the ‘Subscribe Free’ banner. You will then be a follower, and receive email notification whenever a new story is filed on the site.

Once you have subscribed (there is no cost), send your NAME and PHONE NUMBER via email (NOT THIS SITE’S CONTACT FORM) to sosuterbill@gmail.com and place the words ‘LITTLE COMPETITION’ in the subject field. 

Note that the competition closes at 6pm on Monday, March 30, and the winner will be contacted soon after. His/her name will be posted in this spot thereafter.

Also note that tickets may not be exchanged for another performance and that the prize is for tickets only (not travel and/or accommodation should this prove necessary).

NOTE: PLEASE READ ENTRY DETAILS CAREFULLY AS SOME PEOPLE ARE ENTERING COMPETITIONS INCORRECTLY.

ALSO NOTE THAT ONLY ONE ENTRY PER SUBSCRIBER WILL BE CONSIDERED.

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