The Music Box, a cabaret show written and produced by Athlone’s Danalia Borman, makes its way to the stage once again on Sunday November 18.
The production was first staged in June, and it was so well received by the audience, that Ms Borman – with the encouragement of family and friends – decided to revisit it, and have it staged once more.
As a trained actress and dancer herself, the 31-year-old knows all too well about the struggles faced by South African artists. This is why she decided to do whatever she can to give aspiring actors a platform to nurture their talents.
“It’s a tough business. I used to think I am not good enough, but I have a lot of positives to show me that I need to be here. I want to create a platform where aspiring actors can come to their light. I want to free the idea that theatre can only be done by certain people,” Ms Borman, who describes herself as a humanitarian, said.
She holds a degree in drama from the University of Pretoria, received dance training as a former member of Glenda Jones’ Afrika Ablaze, and did a course on special effects make-up.
Ms Borman plays the guitar, sings, has worked as an actress, and taught drama at the Centre of Science and Technology (Cosat) in Khayelitsha. She was also a dance teacher. She did a short stint in America, and it was this experience of living in a foreign country, that helped her rediscover herself, Ms Borman said.
Her love for acting started when as a young girl, she was besotted with the musical Grease.
“I watched it over and over – to the point where I knew all the words. I used to make myself Sandy (one of the lead characters) outfits. My family also loves storytelling and singing. My dad is from a big family and I remember holidays at my grandmother’s house, where all the cousins would put up a show. We even did a nativity play at my uncle’s house,” Ms Borman said.
When life knocked her down, and work was scarce, Ms Borman became despondent, and depression reared its ugly head.
“My parents said I should take a break from the industry, and I just felt that this was not how my life should be.”
It was while on this break, that she produced a nativity play for her mother’s Sunday school class.
“People were amazed by the work I did. That gave me the push I needed to continue with my work.”
The Music Box is a cabaret about a young girl who gets inspired by the ballerina inside her jewellery box. She later discovered, however, that the world is not as great as she thought it would be. She meets different characters along the way, however, and they help transform her into the woman she has become.
The cast includes Andre Dippenaar, Josh Prinsloo, Gilmour Gordon, Mika Rose O’Shea, Topaz and Inside Voice.
The Music Box will be staged on Sunday November 18 at the Nassau Theatre, Groote Schuur High School, Newlands. Doors open at 3pm and the show starts at 4pm. For bookings, contact Kelly at 071 326 1665 or Natalie at 084 407 9944 or Ms Borman at 079 502 0017.
