On at the Artscape Theatre

Sweeping, grand musical 'Calling Us Home' on at Artscape – limited run

One of the great joys of 2023 is the return of live performances, like musicals, some of which stay with you your whole life. One to add to your must-see list is the big, beautiful, built-in-Africa musical, Calling Us Home, showing only at Artscape, from 15 to 19 February. Here’s why you don’t want to miss it. 

Catch it while you can – there are five shows only in South Africa. Image: Shy Music

BE MOVED BY A STORY OF LOVE, HOPE + HOME

Calling Us Home is a grand-scale musical that tells the tale of Grace, an African princess fleeing war in her homeland, who arrives penniless in a great American port city. The soaring music and drums will sweep you into the story and across the globe, where Grace finds adventure, danger, friendship, love and heartbreak.

It’s more than a romantic love story. Calling Us Home is about love in various forms – love of family, love of home – and also touches on issues like the plight of refugees, the challenges women face and the need for more empathy, understanding and care.

Leading lady, Grace, played by Capetonian, Devonecia Swartz. Image: Daniel Rutland Manners

WATCH TOP LOCAL + GLOBAL TALENT

Calling Us Home is a story set across two continents, but also a story of cross-continental collaboration behind the scenes. The show is written and composed by Cape Town local Alice Gillham of Shy Music – the producers of Calling Us Home – and directed by acclaimed New York-based theatre director, Peter Flynn. 

It was important to everyone involved that the story be told from both African and American perspectives. Shy Music also wanted to create as many opportunities for South African artists as possible. The result is a fusion of local and international talent, with leading cast members from Cape Town and New York City. 

Director Peter Flynn in rehearsal with leading cast members, Míchel Alejandro Castillo and Devonecia Swartz. Image: Daniel Rutland Manners

ESCAPE DISTRACTION (AND LOADSHEDDING) FOR 2.5 HOURS 

If you’re into music, Calling Us Home will not disappoint. Switch off (phones too) and let yourself be completely immersed in the music and story for two hours. Artscape obviously wouldn’t let a bit of loadshedding get in the way, so the show will go on, regardless of Eskom’s schedule. Get a taste of the sound of Calling Us Home. 

Artscape isn’t affected by loadshedding. Image: Artscape Facebook page

CATCH IT BEFORE IT GOES GLOBAL – SHOW DATES + TIMES

There are only five performances of Calling Us Home happening in South Africa before the cast and crew head off on an international tour. Catch it at Artscape from Wednesday 15 February to Saturday 18 February, 8pm to 10:30pm; and on Sunday 19 February from 2pm to 4:30pm. Book your seat now via Computicket.

Don’t miss the chance to see the Calling Us Home cast in action in Cape Town. Image: Shy Music

WATCH: A GLIMPSE OF THE SHOW

Get an idea of why people are saying things like, “If I could, I would watch this a million times”, about Calling Us Home.

WHEN + WHERE TO GO 

Calling Us Home is on: 15-19 February
Watch it at: Artscape Theatre Centre I D.F. Malan St, Foreshore I Cape Town
Book: Tickets start from R95 via Computicket
For more info, find the show on:
Instagram: @callingushomemusical
Facebook: @Callingushomemusical
Twitter: @CUH_Musical

By Lee-Anne Spurdens

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FOR FURTHER READING 

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