The musical 'Something Rotten!' demonstrates that musicals can bring pleasure to both audiences and actors. It celebrates this genre as students from Waterfront Theatre School perform numbers with great enthusiasm on the small stage of Arena Theatre.
Plot and Production
Director Paul Griffiths likely enjoyed working with these future star performers. The play is set in 1595 and tells the story of the fictional English playwright Nick Bottom, who desperately strives to overshadow his more famous contemporary, William Shakespeare.
Bottom's brother, Nigel, and Nick himself try to create the next hit for the stage. Nick consults the nephew of the famous seer Nostradamus—who shares the same name—to find out what to write for future success.
Prophecy and Conflict
The advice Nick receives was unacceptable for the time: musicals. Nostradamus predicts that plays where actors sing their lines will become extremely popular. Thus, a battle erupts between Bottom and Shakespeare, filled with chaos and comedy.
The script is witty and references various musicals, including 'The Lion King' and 'The Phantom of the Opera.' American brothers Carey and Wayne Kirkpatrick began working on this idea in the 1990s, and the musical premiered at the St. James Theatre in New York in 2015, after which the show toured many countries.
South African Premiere
Waterfront Theatre School presents its South African premiere. Arena is one of the smaller venues at Artscape, allowing actors to perform very close to the audience. This proximity to the performers makes the entire experience more immediate. Griffiths ensured seamless transitions between scenes, achieving perfect execution of every dance move and every note.
Acting and Themes
John Marshall, in the role of the main character Nick Bottom, appears ready for larger stages. He holds the audience's attention and conveys the manic, joyful, and more serious moments of his character's journey without overdoing it. Andrew Woods, as Nostradamus, is appropriately eccentric in every gesture and spoken phrase; his vocal range is also impressive.
Lilita Sibonda transforms Shakespeare into a modern superstar with an inflated ego. It seems Griffiths drew inspiration for some scenes from the image of one of the greatest pop showmen, Freddie Mercury. The ensemble also looks well-rehearsed, and it is a great way for students to hone their skills. With lavish costumes and creative makeup, they embody a genuine story.
At its core, there is a good story. Although the play is set in 1595, since it was written several centuries later, its feminist slant makes it strikingly progressive. Nick's wife, Bea, decides to find work to support her struggling family, which will soon include a newborn. Bea reminds her husband in the song 'Don't Be a Sexist Pig,' and then disguises herself as a man to get a job.
Director's Thoughts
Griffiths noted that for his students, this play represents a 'natural next step in the ongoing conversation... about identity, authenticity, and self-discovery, because success is rarely achieved by pretending to be someone else.' He added that 'it is a often difficult but deeply rewarding journey of becoming more oneself.'
