Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
A Sandra Prinsloo Master Class awaits audiences
BACK by popular demand at Theatre on the Bay for six shows, Master Class promises to be a theatre delight like no other.
Set in New York in 1971, Maria Callas, the famous opera diva is portrayed giving master classes at a time when she had not sung in six years.
Callas, portrayed by the talented Sandra Prinsloo, will dazzle the audience with her captivating performance.
In the play, Callas works with three students – two sopranos and a tenor. Aside from her biting wit, she is often blunt and even harsh in her efforts to mentor and prepare the singers for the cut-throat world of opera.
The play’s riveting theatricality is ignited by Callas’s emotional outbursts and the soaring arias performed under her guidance.
Magdalene Minaar said she and the cast were honoured to have an artist of the calibre of Prinsloo in the show.
“Sandra is an iconic actress in South Africa and abroad. For our artists to be working with someone of her calibre is a wonderful experience,” she said.
Prinsloo, who expressed optimism and excitement about portraying the iconic opera diva said: “What a wonderful play. It is not everyday one gets to play such a complex, but yet wonderful character. I am really looking forward to it.”
José Dias said being back in rehearsals for Master Class has revived the joy within him. “It is such a great text (written by the late Terrence McNally), that we found ourselves laughing and connecting with it all over again as if we hadn’t heard before.
“Our wonderful singing actors from Cape Town Opera are at the top of their game – they are all quite young so, besides naturally growing into these roles with time, they are developing and maturing as opera singers through all the other work they do with the company over the years.
“Our audiences are in for an even bigger treat this time, and what can one say about Sandra Prinsloo as Maria Callas?
“She is the Queen. She is busy with so many incredible (and often intense) artistic projects at the same time, yet she goes at each of them with the energy and passion of a young actress, absolutely passionate about what she does and she savours all its nuances and possibilities as she does it.
“If there ever was a role model to follow with all my creative soul, it is her. Working on stage with Sandra Prinsloo has simply been one of the great privileges of my professional life, and I cannot wait for it to happen again and again and again,” he said.
Master Class is at Theatre on the Bay from September 26-30. Tickets from R180 through 021438000/1 or Webtickets and are also available via Toyota US Woordfees (Quicket) from October 7-10. No under 13s allowed.