Waterfront Theatre School Brings Tony-Nominated Musical Comedy Something Rotten! to Cape Town
Cape Town theatre lovers are in for a treat this July as Waterfront Theatre School presents the South African premiere of the acclaimed Broadway musical comedy Something Rotten! at the Artscape Arena. Running for a limited season from 10 to 18 July, the production promises an energetic blend of comedy, music, dance and theatrical satire that celebrates the magic of live performance while affectionately poking fun at the world of musicals.
Set in Renaissance England, the story follows struggling playwright Nick Bottom as he desperately tries to step out of the shadow of the seemingly unstoppable William Shakespeare. In a bid to outshine the Bard, Nick embarks on an outrageous journey that ultimately leads to the invention of the musical. Packed with witty dialogue, spectacular musical numbers and clever theatrical references, the show has earned a reputation as one of the most entertaining musical comedies of recent years.
The production is performed by students of Waterfront Theatre School and reunites the creative team behind the institution’s successful productions of Heathers – The Musical and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Direction is by Paul Griffiths, with choreography by Ursula Lubbe and musical direction by Thinus Viljoen, who brings a personal connection to the show from his own days as a student at the school.
Beyond its humour and spectacle, Something Rotten! explores themes of identity, self-belief and authenticity, making it a production that resonates with contemporary audiences while delivering plenty of laughs along the way.
Something Rotten! runs at the Artscape Arena from 10 to 18 July. Performances take place on 10, 11 and 12 July at 17h30; 14 to 18 July at 19h30; with additional matinees on 11 July at 13h00 and 18 July at 14h30. Tickets cost R250, with group bookings of ten or more available at R230 per person. The production carries a PG age restriction. Tickets can be booked through Webtickets.