Where there’s dancing, there’s Rushney
Ferguson can’t wait for the re-run of ‘Danger in the Dark’, but for now Aunty Merle has her full attention
RUSHNEY Ferguson is flying high. The dancer-singer-actress is putting her golden touch on everything she’s involved in – from last year’s highly acclaimed Langarm to the star-studded
Danger in the Dark which played to packed houses late last year to the sold-out shows of Marc Lottering’s
Aunty Merle – It’s a Girl which has extended its run at the Baxter until the end of next month.
Good news for those who missed Danger in the Dark is that it is returning in early March.
The musical, based on David Kramer’s and Taliep Pietersen’s Poison, about drug abuse and the exploitation of women on the Cape Flats, put its message across so forcefully that audiences were blown away – together with the superb enactment, choreography and dancing and singing of the talented cast.
Ferguson’s theatre career started under the guidance of Kramer in
District Six and last year her role in Langarm garnered her a Fleur du Cap nomination.
She also dance captained the revival of King Kong: Legend of A Boxer.
The ability to go from stage to
screen has also landed her various roles in films and commercials. And choreographically, she works behind the scenes with several local artists including Emo Adams: Brother Love 2, Emo Celebrates 30 Years in Music and
the live finale of Maak My Famous.
“It’s absolutely lovely that Aunty
Merle has been extended and it’s been such great fun performing in it,” she says.
Rushney features as Aunty Merle’s daughter Abigail White and she and Alan have now been married for five years. In this sequel to Aunty
Merle, they have an announcement to make. The excitement mounts in Belgravia Road, Athlone, and Merle just can’t wait to be a first-time grandmother. Her son-in-law as she proudly puts it, is “Bantry Bay-born”.
Ferguson says it’s been a privilege to work with Lottering.
“A little bit of Merle rubs off on me and it’s also been really fun working with all the other actors.”
With the return of Danger in the
Dark, she says she’s looking forward to reprising her role as Juanita – the girlfriend of the gangster kingpin played by Loukmaan Adams.
“I had to be very careful in the role – of representing all the women who find themselves in similar situations.
“It’s been such an honour to get the message across and to tell these stories and to make communities aware. “But what is really necessary is to see some more support from influential people in the audiences. While we had so much support we need the people in power to come watch the play and spread the message”
Talking of her rise to stardom, she says “I’ve been blessed and really I am so grateful. This year has been a bit surreal with all that it has already contained.”
When she’s not on stage, as a qualified dance teacher, she can be seen guiding others to dance.
“When I do have time off I definitely rest my voice and vocal chords and also try to get some sleep.”
But that’s definitely not what she’ll be doing today (Friday).
“It my 31st birthday – my crown birthday and it’s certainly a cause for celebration!”
■ Danger in the Dark previews at the Baxter Theatre on March 9, and is on from March 10-28. Tickets through Webtickets. There is an age restriction of 12.