Durban songstress returns home for fantasy musical

MORNINGSIDE'S Frances Currie (Williams) returns to the Durban stage this month to play Cinderella in KickstArt's musical, Into the Woods, an adult fairytale at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 15 April until 1 May.

Now part of a band enjoying cabaret performances, Frances has made a career as a specialist singing teacher at the UK's famous Guildford School of Acting, Frances returns to play the indecisive and under-confident Cinderella. “I love playing Cinderella, she's so much like me, she's thinks far too much about everything and is indecisive and over analytical about everything. The best thing about playing the role is there is a lot of emotional depth,” she laughed while chatting to Berea Mail.

She was only 17, and still a learner at Maris Stella when she timidly took the “daunting” steps to audition in her first professional production, The Sound of Music, but was rewarded with the part of Liesl at the huge Playhouse Opera production. Despite being a shy teen, Frances developed a love for stage playing the flute at school functions, then in a number of high school productions and the Young Performers Project's production of Oliver. Frances recalls her first singing teacher and mentor, Charon Williams-Ros helping her develop her confidence.

“Nothing's changed, it is so lovely to be back in Durban seeing all the familiar faces and back with the KickstArt family, this role actually feels like a reunion. Coming back after spending a few years abroad, I can really appreciate what real talent Durban has, it really is international quality, Steven Stead and Greg King are an amazing team. The eclectic mix of difference decades is a new element of fantasy and the production is just a beautiful with gorgeous dresses, wigs and of course brilliant acting,” she added.