Fiona Ramsey returns to Theatre on the Square as a diva in The Opera Singer
In a two-person drama inspired by Maria Callas, Fiona Ramsey plays a fading diva confronting truth, legacy and sacrifices behind a life on stage.
Veteran South African actress Fiona Ramsey is returning to the stage at Theatre on the Square with a compelling new production, The Opera Singer.
The play runs from March 11 to 28 and promises audiences an intimate, emotional and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
Written and directed by Janna Ramos-Violante, the production stars Ramsey alongside Welsh actor Owain Rhy Davies, who now lives in London.
Read more: Three decades, Theatre on the Square keeps lunchtime classical music alive
The two-hander drama follows a celebrated opera diva at the end of her career as she sits down for a revealing interview with a journalist.
Although the character is inspired by the legendary soprano Maria Callas, Ramsey said the play does not portray Callas directly.
“The play is loosely based on Maria Callas, I am dressed and costumed l like her, although it’s not Maria. The diva I play is Italian, not Greek. That is because we felt that, if we were going to do a masterclass with Maria Callas directly, one already exists. So this is more of a conglomerate, a character that is about a lot of different divas.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: Veteran South African actress Fiona Ramsey returns to the stage at Theatre on the Square in Sandton with The Opera Singer, a powerful two-hander inspired by legendary soprano Maria Callas. The play, written and directed by Janna Ramos-Violante, follows an aging opera diva reflecting on the sacrifices she made for her art during a revealing interview with a journalist. The play runs from March 11 to 28. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #Sandton #Theatre ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Even though the play is titled The Opera Singer, Ramsey said the story reaches far beyond the music world.
“Although it’s called The Opera Singer, yes, it is about a singer, Maria, but it’s really more about a life, what she gave up to become an opera singer, and I think it’s more universal than dealing with opera.
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“There’s a lot in the play for anybody, really. It addresses social media and its intrusiveness into people’s lives, particularly those of celebrities and artists. It examines what truth is, what is fiction, what is made up, especially with fake news and with the introduction of AI.”
Before arriving in Johannesburg, the show was staged in Salzburg as part of the major arts festival, which is known for its strong opera audience. Ramsey added that the play later enjoyed a successful run in Cape Town before coming to Sandton.
“I’m thrilled to be back in Sandton. I haven’t been in this theatre for about two years. So I urge people to book tickets and come and see the show.”
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