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Wela Kapela Productions is becoming rather renowned for its award-winning and highly acclaimed productions and on Sat 20 July 2024, "A Star Is Born: The Rise & Fall of Judy Garland" will take to the Rhumbelow Durban stage at 2pm."A Star Is Born" features Kerry Hiles as the narrator/Judy and Luke Holder on piano.
Kerry Hiles received a Fleur Du Cap 2024 nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in "A Star Is Born", and this production has walked away with prestigious Ovation Awards at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda/Grahamstown in 2019 and 2020, as well as five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival in 2023.
Tickets R180pp are available at Webtickets or from Roland Stansell on 082 499 8636. Enquire about discount season tickets.
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A Star Is Born:
Judy Garland took to the stage at age 2, landed a movie contract at 12, won an Academy Award at 17, and impacted the music and movie industry for generations to come. She died aged 47. How did one of Hollywood's brightest stars dim so fast?
This entertaining and sophisticated 70-minute cabaret was written and directed by Amanda Bothma, and features well-loved classics like "That's Entertainment", "I Got Rhythm" and (obviously!) "Over The Rainbow". In addition, the performance also showcases some of Garland's iconic numbers such as "The Trolley Song" and "The Man That Got Away", as well as some lesser-known surprise numbers that have delighted audiences: look out for "Hoe Down" and "If You Feel Like Singing, Sing", among others.
Reviews have read:
"An engaging performance by a very talented singer and storyteller. Judy Garland's tragic life story was told with passion and grace in an intimate setting.” – TVO, audience review
"Exceptional performance. A true story well told and beautifully sung. Highly recommended.” - Joy Roach, audience review
“Kerry Hiles does not try to impersonate Garland in mode or manner, but presents her own cool, classy cabaret with pizzazz and passion, interweaving the songs, stories, humour and heartache of Judy’s life on and off stage. Yes, this is Entertainment with a capital E.” - Vivien Devlin, edinburghguide
“With a smile that lights up the room and a gorgeous singing voice, she (Kerry Hiles) had the audience in the palm of her hand throughout her impressive performance.” - Keith Millar, theatre reviewer.
“I found A Star Is Born – The Rise and Fall of Judy Garland fascinating and the singing superb…hostess Kerry Hiles…narrating an expertly abridged version of Garland’s life... It felt high class and approachable together." - Andrew Girdwood, edinburgh-reviews.co.uk
I loved every bit of the show. Kerry was an amazing performer, and her voice just sent me to a dreamy era of sweet and sour time as she took us through the journey of becoming Judy Garland. I was in tears at the end! - Samir El Mouti (audience member, Edinburgh)
A beautiful and heart-wrenching performance that will make you feel like you understand Garland in all her complex humanity. Kerry Hiles is an incredible performer …A real must-see! - Andrea Thorpe (audience member, Edinburgh)
Kerry says at the start that she hopes to make us fall in love a little with Judy Garland - and she does. This is a beautiful narration of Garland’s turbulent life, seasoned with superb singing of some of her songs, which will make you feel both the ache and the talent she held within her. - Mark Oakley (audience member, Edinburgh)
Fantastic hour of song, dance and narration from Kerry Hiles. A very engaging and highly professional performance delivered sensitively, you won’t be disappointed. - Nick Laws (audience member, Edinburgh)
A really enjoyable hour listening to a fascinating narrative of a somewhat forgotten star who had a really interesting life beautifully told and interspersed with wonderful songs, sung with real pleasure. This is a beautiful little show. - Julian Embleton (audience member, Edinburgh)
Beautiful renditions of Judy Garland’s songs. Coupled with some tales of her turbulent life, this is a wonderful gem of a show. - Agnes Joyce Wells (audience member, Edinburgh)
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Rhumbelow Theatre - DBN, 48 Cunningham Dr, Berea, 4001, South Africa,Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
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