
Janni Younge’s production of The Firebird will open in Cape Town and pop in at Grahamstown before turning the tables on that big, brassy exporter of showbiz, LA, with a run at the Hollywood Bowl, where the production will be accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
As if there was not already magic enough in the Russian fairytale about the glowing bird, this production combines puppetry and dance. Younge – of the Handspring Puppet Company – has set it to Stravinsky’s original score; choreography is by Jay Pather.
The Firebird opens at the Artscape Opera House (June 24-June 26) before heading to the Grahamstown Festival and then on an international tour.
This extraordinary production, two years in the making, features giant puppets designed by a team of artists who worked in the War Horse puppet studio. Evoking themes of fear and passion, inspiration and destruction, the production is described as bringing a battle between epic and highly personal forces to the stage.
Performers in this production include Jackie Manyapelo, Craig Leo, Shaun Oelf, Beren Belknap and Zandile Constable. Costume design is by Birrie le Roux, with lighting design by Mannie Manim.
Tickets at Computicket.