Graphics: https://www.artscape.co.za/event/my-fair-lady-cpt/
The well-known musical My fair lady is playing at the Artscape theatre in Cape Town until 12 January and at Teatro! at Montecasino in Johannesburg after that. (More information on the play’s show times at Montecasino here.)
Naomi Meyer discussed the production with Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander from LAMTA.
Anton and Duane, you are the directors of LAMTA (Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy). Some of LAMTA’s students are involved with and play lead roles in the current musical theatre production My fair lady (playing at the Artscape and soon on stage at Montecasino). LAMTA, as a musical theatre academy, is only about seven years old, and yet we have recently seen some of your students in other productions, like The sound of music (and, of course, Hollywood and Spring awakening a while ago). Please tell our readers why it is of so much importance that some of your students feature in the current My fair lady production? What makes My fair lady special? Why, in your respective opinions, should a production with themes like language and what it means to be "a proper woman" be of any importance in an African country like South Africa in 2025?
Anton: As directors of LAMTA, Duane and I strive to create a legacy of musical theatre excellence, and it is very exciting for us that so many of our students and graduates get to showcase their talents in large-scale productions like The sound of music, We will rock you, Disney’s The magic box and now My fair lady. These wonderful large-scale productions provide an opportunity for these aspiring performers to gain valuable experience and exposure on professional stages after training at LAMTA. My fair lady as a timeless classic that holds a special place in the musical theatre canon provides these young performers with an opportunity to work in a production with a compelling narrative, memorable music, and nuanced exploration of themes like language and societal expectations. In the context of South Africa in 2025, a production like My fair lady prompts contemporary audiences to reflect on issues of language, identity and gender roles. These are all universal themes that hold relevance and offer valuable insights in a diverse and evolving society like South Africa. We are excited that our graduates get to work in productions with such rich themes and complex characters, where they can hone their craft and also engage with narratives that provoke thought and inspire meaningful dialogue within the African cultural landscape.
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In the context of South Africa in 2025, a production like My fair lady prompts contemporary audiences to reflect on issues of language, identity and gender roles. These are all universal themes that hold relevance and offer valuable insights in a diverse and evolving society like South Africa. We are excited that our graduates get to work in productions with such rich themes and complex characters, where they can hone their craft and also engage with narratives that provoke thought and inspire meaningful dialogue within the African cultural landscape.
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Who are the students, or the actors who used to be students at LAMTA, involved in My fair lady? Please elaborate on some of their careers and what you remember from their training as students at LAMTA?
Anton: It is indeed heartening to witness the strong presence of LAMTA graduates in this production. Morgan Marshall, a graduate from the class of 2020, shines as our exceptional dance captain while also showcasing her prowess as a lead dancer and in the ensemble. Tjaart van der Walt, a 2021 graduate, impressively stepped into the shoes of Freddie last night – he was showcasing his talent and delivering a standout rendition of "On the street where you live". Michiel Bester and Alan Chambers, 2022 graduates, demonstrate their triple threat skills every night as valuable members of the male ensemble. Leah Mari and Anina Wall, 2023 graduates, excel in their roles, with Leah’s knockout performance as one of the two Elizas and Anina’s excellent work behind the scenes as the lighting operator. In addition, last year’s graduates, Yakira Davidson, Noa Duckitt, Sasha Duffy, Gabriella Knight, Gemma Bisseker and Dylan Janse van Rensburg, showcase their talents across various roles in the show, from maids to one of the show’s sound technicians to powerhouse dancers and vocalists. From their time at LAMTA we recall their remarkable work ethic, passion and dedication to their craft, characteristics that have clearly given them an opportunity to start a successful career in the performing arts. Each of these former students exemplifies the discipline and talent instilled in them during their training at LAMTA, embodying the essence of a triple threat performer with a combination of passion, discipline and skill.
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Each of these former students exemplifies the discipline and talent instilled in them during their training at LAMTA, embodying the essence of a triple threat performer with a combination of passion, discipline and skill.
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I attended the Hollywood production at LAMTA in Camps Bay last year and I was blown away by the versatility of the students – it seemed to me all of them were not only talented singers, but also dancers as well as actors. Do you think they were all born this way – multi-talented? Are some of them better at singing, for example, and others better at dancing or acting, and you work harder at the other skills to ensure that they are all so good at everything? What is your secret at this academy?
Anton: We are delighted that you enjoyed our production of Hollywood. Our students’ ability to excel in singing, dancing and acting is the fundamental principle behind our training. They are taught to be multi-talented. However, it is not solely intrinsic talent that defines their capabilities; they have to be prepared to work harder than they had ever worked before at their craft. At LAMTA we believe in nurturing individual talents through a blend of care, individual attention, a familial environment, and a deep passion for the performing arts. While some students may naturally exhibit strengths in certain areas, like singing, dancing, or acting, our approach involves honing their skills across all disciplines to ensure they are well-rounded performers.
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However, it is not solely intrinsic talent that defines their capabilities; they have to be prepared to work harder than they had ever worked before at their craft. At LAMTA we believe in nurturing individual talents through a blend of care, individual attention, a familial environment, and a deep passion for the performing arts. While some students may naturally exhibit strengths in certain areas, like singing, dancing, or acting, our approach involves honing their skills across all disciplines to ensure they are well-rounded performers.
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By providing a holistic training programme that challenges students to push themselves beyond their comfort zones and work diligently on all facets of performance, we strive to cultivate versatility and excellence in every aspect. Our secret lies in fostering a supportive and empowering environment where students can explore, grow, and evolve into accomplished performers who can captivate audiences across various dimensions of the stage as well as in film.
In a diverse country like South Africa, with so much inequality, it was heart-warming to see how diverse your talented students are. How do they all end up managing to pay the fees, and had all of them been exposed to theatre and music from a young age?
Duane: Navigating financial constraints can present a significant hurdle for many aspiring students, especially those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. At LAMTA we acknowledge the financial challenges facing our talented students and remain dedicated to fostering the development of genuine artistry. To ensure that real talent is nurtured and given the opportunity to flourish, we go the extra mile by providing sponsorships through our own resources and collaborating with private benefactors where we can, and supportive entities who share our commitment to advancing the performing arts industry.
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Navigating financial constraints can present a significant hurdle for many aspiring students, especially those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. At LAMTA we acknowledge the financial challenges facing our talented students and remain dedicated to fostering the development of genuine artistry. To ensure that real talent is nurtured and given the opportunity to flourish, we go the extra mile by providing sponsorships through our own resources and collaborating with private benefactors where we can, and supportive entities who share our commitment to advancing the performing arts industry.
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It is often difficult to find this kind of assistance for the arts, but these willing partnerships and sponsorships are instrumental in empowering students with limited financial means, granting them access to the high-quality training and education that LAMTA offers, ultimately opening doors to a professional career in the performing arts.
Let me finish by asking you your own question to anyone interested in studying musical theatre at LAMTA (lamta.co.za): “The Performing Arts is one of the most rewarding, challenging, crazy, invigorating, inconsistent, unpredictable, and remarkable careers one could choose. There are many who believe that you don’t choose to perform – it chooses you! Why would anyone choose to live hand to mouth, consistently hustling for the next job, putting yourself ’out there’ for the world to judge and for audition panels to criticise? Why choose a career in musical theatre?”
Duane: Indeed – the notion that "You don’t choose the arts – it chooses you!" encapsulates the intrinsic calling and deep connection individuals feel towards the arts. From our personal journeys as performers, creatives, and now academy directors, we have found the work to be immensely fulfilling and profoundly rewarding. The creative field offers a unique blend of challenges and joys, requiring a combination of drive, talent and strategic thinking to navigate its intricacies successfully. We firmly believe that with determination, innate talent, and an astute approach, individuals can carve out an enduring and fulfilling career in the arts industry. As we instil in our students: "Success follows where passion leads", underscoring the importance of pursuing one’s passions with dedication and tenacity, a principle we continuously reinforce to inspire and empower the next generation of artists.
Information on LAMTA is available here.
Information on My fair lady’s show times in Cape Town and Johannesburg is available here and here.
Lees ook:
Gordyn lig oor enkele dae vir My fair lady: ’n onderhoud met Graham Hopkins
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