Home-grown talent shines in The Sound of Music

NEWCASTLE – The resounding applause from an appreciative audience as the curtain falls is what invigorates Chantel Adendorff.

The 29-year-old, Newcastle-born star matriculated in 2005 from Newcastle High School, where her love for singing was ignited.

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She joined the NKZN Youth Choir in 2001 which afforded her the opportunity to travel to Europe. She also sang in school choirs in Newcastle.

“I have always felt comfortable on stage,” she said.

“As I grew into my own skin, I have learnt to love my quirks and appreciate the process of growing as a person.”

Chantel believes performing is a form of expression, but also a way to discover one’s true self.

While working as an Au-pair in the United States in 2009, she sang in the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut, and also performed in Carl Orff’s, Carmina Burana at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City.

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On her return to South Africa in 2010, she taught in the Drakensburg Primary School choir and Newcastle Senior Primary School choir.

Moving to Durban shortly after, she worked as a orthodontic nurse for four years before trying her hand at performing by receiving coaching in production. She starred in the Ubuntu theatre production last year at The Playhouse in Durban.

This gave rise to her audition in the production of The Sound of Music 2016.

After three callbacks she was offered the role of Liesl von Trapp, the Captain’s 16-year-old daughter who is in love with Rolfe Gruber, played by Rory Booth a telegraph delivery boy who betrays the von Trapp family to join the Third Reich.

She considered the cast she is currently working with as family.

“Spending time with the likes of Lynelle Kenned, Arlene Jafta and Craig Urbani three of the most talented people, you are bound to discover precious pearls of wisdom,” she said.

“To give life to a character from the imagination of others is a great opportunity.”

Chantel considered her own imagination to be her most prized possession.

She gained her inspiration from Julie Andrews, who starred in the original The Sound of Music movie as Maria von Trapp.

However, Chantel bashfully admitted her talent crush was Lynelle Kenned, who plays the role of Maria in the current The Sound of Music theatre production which is underway in Durban.

“She carries the same poise and finesse in her performance as Julie Andrews did, and does not compromise who she is.”

Chantel said the theatre industry was not as glamourous as it seemed and commitment and hard work were paramount.

“There is no space for compromise. Any challenge is an opportunity to conquer something new.”

She said theatre in South Africa was rapidly growing and expanding, and encouraged schools to invest in productions for their school concerts.

“Get children trained in singing, acting and dancing. Teach them about theatre etiquette and backstage protocol. With this, South Africa can be put on the map as one of the theatre hotspots of the world.”

“We have some of the most incredibly talented children right under our noses!” she exclaimed.

The most rewarding part of her job, she said was the response from the audience and more specifically in The Sound of Music production.

“The performers also cherish the curtain calls and regard it as a sacred gift from the audience that should be valued,” she added.

Chantel would like to be remembered as the girl who never lost her character and compassion, as well as a great performer who always stayed true to herself.

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She owes her success firstly to God whom she believes has been her ultimate mentor. Coupled with sheer hard work and perseverance, as well as support from her family and husband, Chantel has certainly paved the way for a bright future as a performer.

She has not yet figured out how to ‘relax,’ although she enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, who she describes as the best man on the planet. She is also involved in freelance graphic design, which she chooses to do as a hobby, and recently began mending her own clothes.

Chantel’s family and friends are exceptionally proud of her achievements and wish her well in her future endeavours.

The Sound of Music is currently on the stage at The Playhouse in Durban. The show will run until December 30.