Stepping into Maria’s shoes from Liesl’s with confidence
By Tarini Pilapitiya
Carmen Pretorius has grown up acting, singing and dancing. “I know this is a really clichéd thing to say! But I really don’t remember a time in my life where I didn’t sing,” says the South African singer who will take on the iconic role of Maria in the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of The Sound of Music that will hit the Colombo stage next month.
Having started vocal lessons at the age of six, Carmen informs us that her role models at the time were pop sensations Britney Spears and the Spice Girls.
These past months, Carmen has climbed the Alps as both Liesl Von Trapp and now Maria. From February 14 to 18, the well-loved family musical will make seven appearances at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre – with five shows and two matinees. The Really Useful Group production of The Sound of Music is presented by Cinnamon Life in partnership with David Ian Productions Ltd, Company Onstage Ltd and the Broadway Asia Company LLC.
This production will mark the third tour of the show in Asia, with the thea- tre company having previously performed in venues in China, New Zealand, Jakarta, Maui, Hong Kong, Manila and Macau to name a few.
Sitting down with the Sunday Times, Carmen shares that her passion for acting took root in her teens. “I fell in love with all three disciplines after taking part in my high school theatre productions such as ‘Me and My Girl’ and ‘Hello, Dolly!’
Her big break came in the role of Gabriella Montez when she won the MNET reality series, ‘High School Musical: Spotlight South Africa’. Securing an agent, she soon demonstrated her versatility taking on diverse roles such as the shy Gabrielle (High School Musical) and the rebellious Reverend’s daughter Ariel (Footloose), Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia! starring too in productions like Cabaret and Jersey Boys etc.
Trading her ballet flats from “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” as the oldest Von Trapp child Liesl, she took on Maria from the company’s second tour itself comfortably making the classic role of the optimistic postulant nun turned governess turned wife and mother who remains a classic icon in the theatre and film industry, her own. The transition from Liesl to Maria has been “incredibly exciting,” Carmen says. The role of Maria “makes me feel alive,” she declares.
“Undoubtedly the role of Maria has been made iconic by Julie Andrews,” Carmen states however adding “I try not to be influenced by her portrayal. Your director and you have to get together and create a ‘real role’ for you to embody. Their guidance can ultimately help the actor create delicious visuals of the story.”
Carmen shares that the sincerity and simplicityof the song “Something Good” makes it one of the more memorable moments in the play for her.
However with a laugh she adds that “I have confidence” is one of her more ‘deadly’ scenes. “I have to swing a guitar and a bag and although watching the choreography it seems so simple the thought of knocking myself out when I start the scene always crosses my mind.”
Having spent months touring Carmen is still excited for each performance attributing a greater portion of it to the kids who “teach us a lot more than we teach them.” Touring and performing with different casts of children in each country, Carmen describes her experience with them like a “ship which sails through different phases.”
However touring internationally has its drawbacks -“being away from home is hard,” she says confessing to greatly missing her loved ones and boyfriend, who is also on tour with the cast of Evita.
Under the expert guidance of Director Jeremy Sams and Associate Director Frank Thompson, this is a production filled with nostalgia, a joyful experience for families and theatre enthusiasts.
The Sound of Music will be staged at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre from February 14 to 18. The main shows will take place at 7.30 p.m. and there will be two matinee shows on February 17 and 18 at 3 pm. Tickets are priced at Rs. 4500 (restricted view), Rs. 7,500, Rs. 10,000, Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 20,000. Tickets can be purchased via www.cinnamonboxoffice.com
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