THE LONG WAY HOME. New Musical by Hema Maskowitz & Tersia Harley (Musical Director). Directed by Philippa van Ryneveld. Band: Chris Cameron-Dow (Piano), David Bolton (Drums), Razak Johnson (Guitar/Banjo), Christian van Heerden (Bass & Production Secretary), Bernard Kisbey-Green (Saxophone), Laura Basson (Clarinet & Vocals). Weekends until 11 October 2025. SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews.
There is no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at the theatre. Especially if you are witnessing the debut of several aspirant thespians and dancers launching themselves into theatrical careers in a brand new ‘home grown’ musical – The Long Way Home.
Backed by years as a performer, Philippa van Ryneveld, brought to her debut as a director, a wealth of understanding about the necessity of discipline, space, balance, lines and shape to form an entertaining whole.
Throughout this show, van Ryneveld rehearsed her team, to pick up cues, work as a team through each song and dance routine. Cleverly married were national dance styles, rhythms, costumes for the countries ‘we were visiting’.
A committed team
Although many actors were unfamiliar with role playing, individually they worked as a fully committed team, to portray their different song and dance parts.
Participating in future productions will, help each one to discover how to ‘dig into themselves’ to broaden their characterisations. This was particularly relevant to Alex’s part. His talent, as guitarist/singer needed exploiting to establish him as the principal character.
Composing a musical from scratch is onerous. But Harley and Maskowitz splendidly garnered together local tunes (Mannenberg, Umqombothi and Beat the Drum) with popular songs (My Love Will See You Through) superbly sung by Ma (Tersia Harley).
Other songs included I Get a Kick out of You, Le vie en Rose (Edith Piaf), Christopher Tin’s Baba Yetu.
Alex de Abreu, as soccer coach and in ensembles, had a surprising confidence for a newcomer and I look forward to seeing him on stage again soon.
As Nic, Alex’s girl-friend, Nicola de Jager, has a charming voice as well as a quiet, sincere stage presence.
The story-line in simple. A young guitarist Alex (Sechaba Makhothi) is restless. He wants to spread his wings, not here at home, but overseas. Overseas being that magic place where he’ll travel to, to become famous and wealthy.
Life doesn’t quite turnout as Alex hoped. Fame, wealth and love eluded him. Helped by strangers he arrived safely in Cape Town to be greeted by the glorious voices of the Iminqweno Yethu Choir.
What a joyful sound they, supported by the band and Laura Basson on her penny whistle made… wrapping up an enjoyable evening of, familiar and unfamiliar music, song and dance.
What: The Long Way Home
Where: At Milnerton Playhouse Theatre,81 Pienaar Road, Milnerton
Who: Milnerton Players
Contact: info@milnertonplayers.com
Booking: www.milnertonplayers.co.za, Pick & Pay Stores
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