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Production "Dream Team" assembled to unveil Aida
6th June 2008
 Theatre
People caught up with AIDA Director Shaun Kingma to find out about
Whitehorse’s upcoming blockbuster.
Shaun: When approached by Whitehorse to direct Aida, I had just come
back from Europe a few months earlier and saw a production of it in
Germany. I was blown away by the power of the show. On one hand it
is a huge stunning spectacle, on the other, an intimate drama and
commentary about relationships and the choices people make. To be
able to stage the show with a company such as
Whitehorse
and in a theatre like the Besen, gives us the opportunity to stage
the show as it should be. I always liken it to The Lion King meets
We Will Rock You!
As the rights are still quite new to the Aussie market and with no
locally produced professional production, the show hasn’t really
seen the light of day here. Is this going to impact on the number of
the auditionees coming through the door?
Shaun: It is relatively unknown on the Australian shores – but on
Broadway it was huge success, running for over 4 years and countless
touring productions and earning 4 Tony Award nominations. In a
nutshell, Aida is a contemporary pop opera re-telling of the Verdi
opera. A classic love triangle: Aida, a Nubian princess, is captured
by an Egyptian captain, Radames. He soon falls in love with her and
saves her from a life of hard labour giving her as a handmaiden to
the Egyptian princess Amneris, his future bride. Set against a
backdrop of loyalty, betrayal, and forbidden love. Aida is the story
of three people who are forced to make difficult choices that will
alter history forever.
The book is powerful and the music even more so. With music and
lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, you can’t wrong. Powerful
ballads, huge ensemble numbers all ranging from rock/pop to African.
The show is electric in its storytelling and music.
So it sounds like there’s a good amount of depth to the plot and
some good characters in there. What are the lead roles like and what
are you looking for?
Shaun: The leads in the show are some of the biggest roles you could
get to play – especially the 3 main leads- strong singer actors are
needed with big powerful voices. The ensemble don’t get off lightly
either. Because the show is so varied, we are needing both singers
and dancers that can adapt to numerous styles and characters. It is
certainly one of those shows that can really show off the talents of
the performer. Auditonees should bring along contemporary songs that
fully show off their voice and their ability to perform in song. We
are looking for a strong cast that are committed to help us produce
this fantastic show and be a part of something unique and special.
Shaun has an impressive CV, including over 10 years on the Melbourne
Amateur circuit. He’s known around the traps for his award winning
performances, but after directing CLOC’s Blood Brothers last year,
he’s quickly building a name for himself as an exciting director.
Sitting with Shaun is two of the most experienced and sought after
cohorts Andrew Leach and
Tamara Finch.
Tamara and Andrew have a host of production credits under their arms
with, along with just about every award you can win for your craft.
Shaun: The list of credits from both these guys is impressive. I
have worked with Tamara on many occasions now and am continuously
amazed at what she can get a cast to do. This is my first time
working with Andrew on the production team side, so I am very
excited to be finally working with him. He has some great music to
work with and a very large orchestra that mixes the rock/pop with
fantastic arrangements.
Having worked with all 3 of the production team I can say without a
shadow of a doubt they are amongst the most intelligent, passionate
and professional people I’ve come across. They really value their
craft and take it seriously. If you do choose to audition for Aida,
you can guarantee an enjoyable experience, a quality show and
personal growth as a performer. The parties and inevitable good
times are always a bonus! What’s the show going to look like? Can
you give away at least one secret here?
With the set design by Brenton Staples and John Burrett, the show
will be vast and large. The concept is stunning and incorporates
many elements ranging from the traditional through to some beautiful
new visual effects. I won’t give too much away, but there will be
Egyptian horizons that will lead the eye for miles and some bathing
beauties swimming away in a pool on stage....
Enough said!!!
Get on down to the Aida auditions by checking out all the details in
the Auditions section of
Theatre People
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