Edleen actress stars in Peter Pan musical
The 24-year old plays the pirate, Indian and maid in Disney’s Peter Pan Jr
AT the end of April this year, Edleen resident, Samantha Aria auditioned for a role in the ultimate pirate adventure, Disney’s Peter Pan Jr, where she landed three roles.
Aria plays the pirate, Indian and maid.
The swashbuckling fairytale is playing at the Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein until July 31.
“I made it among over 40 people. The cast is made up of six adults and a whole lot of talented kids,” she said.
The characters include Phillip Schnetler as Peter Pan, LJ Urbani as Captain Hook/Mr Darling (the roles are traditionally played by the same actor in musical theatre), Clive Gilson as Smee/Nana (the dog) and the Indian chief, Noni Mkhonto as Tinker Bell, Kayli Smith as Mrs Darling and Tiger Lily, and Samantha Aria as the Pirate/Indian/Maid.
Of the three characters Aria plays, she loves playing the pirate most. “I love that I get to be all menacing and I have more stage time.”
The 24-year-old has been singing and dancing since a young age and has always loved musical theatre. “I used to sing at weddings and did a lot of training privately. I also have a few eisteddfod singing awards under my belt.”
With more than 100 years since the play was first staged, the story of Peter Pan remains a much-loved favourite that evokes the ideal of everlasting, adventure-filled youth. The musical includes dancing, singing and acting.
More than anything, Aria loves singing. “Singing is what I enjoy because that is where my passion lies. What I love about this play is that we get to act out everything in song,” said Aria.
Aria attended Edenvale High School but grew up in Edleen, where her grandmother still resides. She has two younger sisters.
After high school she enrolled at Wits, where she obtained a BA degree in foreign languages, majoring in French and Italian.
Yet why would a musician, dancer and actress study languages?
“I want to teach and maybe be a translator. When you know how to speak different languages you are not just limited to working in South Africa,” she clarified.
Aria is also a voice over artist and sings at corporate events. Her genre is rhythm and blues (RnB).
“In five years’ time I want to be doing bigger musical productions in big theatres. I would also like to record an album,” she said.
In her opinion, what can audiences expect from Disney’s Peter Pan Jr?
“Very fun, high energy, catchy songs, audience participation, jokes and a great cast.”
With a set by Grant Knottenbelt, costumes by Linda Wilson, special effects costumes by Trudie Ströh and choreography by Sandy Dyer, Disney’s Peter Pan Jr is set to enthrall and delight these winter holidays.
Performance times are Mondays to Fridays at 9am and 11am (during the school term), and on Saturdays, certain Sundays and government school holidays at 10.30am and 2.30pm.
To book for Disney’s Peter Pan Jr, call the Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/2340 or go to www.peoplestheatre.co.za, www.joburgtheatre.com, or www.webtickets.co.za.
After the production is over at the end of July, Aria will continue with auditions and wait to get callbacks for other shows she has auditioned for.
You can find her on her Facebook page, Samantha Aria.
