Rudd to celebrate 40 years of theatre with retrospective production

The storied career of theatremaker Sandy Rudd is set to ignite the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) when the celebrated theatre doyen turns 70 years old in May.

Titled ‘40 Years of Fabulous: A Retrospective of 40 Years of Theatre with Sandy Rudd’, the production was recently pitched to a roomful of theatremakers who have worked with Rudd across 161 productions spanning a variety of genres.

Employing the idea of “looking back to see what we can do in the future”, ‘40 Years of Fabulous’ invites alumni of Rudd’s work in musicals, tribute shows, children’s theatre, special needs theatre, comedy, community theatre, Independence Day shows and College of the Arts Theatre School performances to sign up to be a part of the production.

Rudd’s notable productions include ‘I am John’, ‘Meet Me at Dawn’, ‘The Lesson’, ‘Meme Mia’, ‘Shakespeare in the Car Park’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’, ‘Happy Beat’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Oshi-Deutsch: The GDR Children of Namibia’ and ‘Lion’s Roar’.

“We’re here for two very important reasons. The first one is to honour Sandy Rudd and the second one is to celebrate you – the artists, the storytellers, the visionaries, those of you who have shared this incredible journey,” said event host Odile Gertze at a recent meet and greet at the NTN.

“We are here to reignite theatre together. I’m sure that each and every one of you, at some point this decade, felt as if you, as an artist, were losing yourself. So that’s why we’re all here. It’s a celebration, it’s getting back into it, it’s a reawakening.”

Encouraging past collaborators to recall memories, scenes and embody their experience of working with Rudd over the last 40 years, the production’s archivist, Ndinomholo Ndilula, urges alumni and patrons to send through ticket stubs, production posters, articles, photographs, voice notes, anecdotes and any other relevant memorabilia to incorporate in the show or to archive on a website.

“To make this production possible, we need you. We need your passion, your love for the stage and your drive to breathe new energy into Namibian theatre,” says Gertze, who is the show’s lead choreographer working alongside Haymich Olivier.

The all-star production team includes Lize Ehlers (musical director), Ernst Steynberg (head of production), Roya Diehl (copy editor and assistant music director), Martina Pieper (stylist), Tanya Stroh (graphics), Luktos Shikongo (photographer) and Rudd as executive producer and director.

“As head of music, it is my honour and pride to introduce that we have the backing of the Hot Pocket Band,” says Ehlers. “I just think it’s going to be an incredible celebration of music, musicals and sound. Our job is to bring the magic to the theatre.”

Currently still open for sponsorship, both monetary and in kind, ‘40 Years of Fabulous’’ official media sponsors are One Africa TV and 99FM.

Described as a historic event in celebration of a towering figure in Namibian theatre, ‘40 Years of Fabulous’ is set to be an extravaganza that Rudd says offers a return to self and to the stage.

“I’m so excited because I have been in the doldrums. I have been down. I have been feeling that my theatre life is over and I could never do this again,” says Rudd to a room filled with eminent theatremakers and music industry stars such as Jackson Kaujeua Junior, Erna Chimu, Patricia Ochurus and Shishani who also offered a celebratory song.

“My energy, my power and my fuel has come from this most extraordinary outpouring of love from all of you. And it’s not for me, it’s for the process, it’s for us. We are ready to show them what we can do,” she says.

“I thank you for putting fuel back into my rather damaged soul. It’s gonna be one helluva show.”

The production, ‘40 Years of Fabulous’, will take place at the NTN on 16 and 17 May. For participation, more information or to submit archival items, email lizeehlers@gmail.com .

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com