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GALLERY | A stunning sneak peek inside the rehearsal room of Calling Us Home

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Leading lady, Devonecia Swartz during  the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Leading lady, Devonecia Swartz during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Photo: Daniel Rutland Manners
  • Rehearsals of the grand-scale musical Calling Us Home are in full swing, and there's magic in the air ahead of their world premiere.
  • Cape Town photographer Daniel Rutland Manners captures emotive moments as the cast showcases their talents, sheer passion and commitment.
  • Cape Town audiences get to enjoy the season premiere in February before the cast head to international shores.


Rehearsals of the grand-scale musical Calling Us Home are in full swing, and there's magic in the air ahead of their world premiere.

As the cast and creative team head into Week 3 of rehearsals, American Director Peter Flynn invites fans into the rehearsal room of the global collaboration in which the South African, American, European and Asian team and cast build, create and make music together. 

"Rehearsals are a daily experience of wonder, learning, and collaboration. The South African theatre community is among the most generous and welcoming with whom I've worked. I knew we had a terrific company of actors from auditions. Spending time together in the same room investigating this beautiful story confirms all my first impressions. I'm excited, moved, and very grateful."
-- Director Peter Flynn.

Cape Town photographer Daniel Rutland Manners captures emotive moments as the cast showcases their talents, sheer passion, and commitment.

SEE THE GALLERY HERE:

Míchel Alejandro Castillo and Devonecia Swartz dur
Míchel Alejandro Castillo and Devonecia Swartz during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
Peter Flynn, Celeste Botha, Leigh-Anne Nanguia, an
Peter Flynn, Celeste Botha, Leigh-Anne Nanguia, and Lesedi Job during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Míchel Alejandro Castillo, Devonecia Swartz, and P
Míchel Alejandro Castillo, Devonecia Swartz, and Peter Flynn during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Míchel Alejandro Castillo, Devonecia Swartz, Micah
Míchel Alejandro Castillo, Devonecia Swartz, Micah Stojakovic, and Daniel Keet during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Choreographer Celeste Botha (Centre) and the Calli
Choreographer Celeste Botha (Centre) and the Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
Leading lady, Devonecia Swartz during rehearsals.
Leading lady, Devonecia Swartz during rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
The Calling Us Home cast during rehearsals.
Monica Tulia Ramirez during the Calling Us Home re
Monica Tulia Ramirez during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Míchel Alejandro Castillo and Devonecia Swartz dur
Míchel Alejandro Castillo and Devonecia Swartz during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Director Peter Flynn during the Calling Us Home re
Director Peter Flynn during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Leading lady, Devonecia Swartz during the Calling
Leading lady, Devonecia Swartz during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Sebastian Zokoza and René Setlhako during the Call
Sebastian Zokoza and René Setlhako during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
René Setlhako, Cindy-Ann Abrahams, and Isabella Ja
René Setlhako, Cindy-Ann Abrahams, and Isabella Jane during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
René Setlhako during the Calling Us Home rehearsal
René Setlhako during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Director Peter Flynn during the Calling Us Home re
Director Peter Flynn during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.
Mthokozisi Emkay Khanyile during the Calling Us Ho
Mthokozisi Emkay Khanyile during the Calling Us Home rehearsals.

Playing the lead role of Grace is Cape Town-based Devonecia Swartz, with the roles of the American leads Rafael and Isabella being performed by Míchel Alejandro Castillo and Monica Tulia Ramirez, respectively, both residing in New York, USA.

In a recent interview with News24, Swartz said, "I was like, 'Oh, my Broadway dreams have become a little bit more true. It's coming to me; Broadway is coming to me'. And just knowing that it's a South African grown musical, it's incredible to be a part of something like that."

READ MORE | From TV to musical theatre, SA actor Devonecia Swartz on making her 'Broadway dreams' come true

"It is the most exciting moment when, during the rehearsals, the Libretto and the Music come to life, and I cannot wait to share the extraordinary talent and energy of our wonderful cast with Cape Town audiences," says Gillham.

Calling Us Home is an unforgettable, epic musical fraught with danger, saved by love. 

Follow Grace from her homeland across the sea and into a land full of new adventures where she finds friendship, heartbreak and love. Be moved by the soaring music and drums that pulse the heartbeat of a continent and by an amazing journey that will sweep you from the plains of Africa, across the sea, to the icy North of an American city.

Show information:

Cape Town audiences can enjoy the season premiere before the cast head to international shores.

Calling Us Home will be on stage at Artscape Theatre from 15 to 19 February 2023.

Performances from Wednesday to Saturday are at 20:00 and on Sunday at 14:00.

Tickets range from R190 to R390, and bookings are through Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.


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