ENTERTAINMENT

Join Cape Town Opera for The Cunning Little Vixen: A family-friendly opera experience

1 min read
The cast of The Cunning Little Vixen is, from left, Thabo Mabuse (Badger), Siphamandla Moyake (Sharp Ears, the Vixen), Dumisa Masoka (Hen), Nica Reinke (Gold Stripe), and Rethabile Khaile (Dog).
The cast of The Cunning Little Vixen is, from left, Thabo Mabuse (Badger), Siphamandla Moyake (Sharp Ears, the Vixen), Dumisa Masoka (Hen), Nica Reinke (Gold Stripe), and Rethabile Khaile (Dog).Picture: Rohan Cloete

Cape Town Opera (CTO) will bring The Cunning Little Vixen to the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone from Tuesday, July 21, to Sunday, July 26.

Designed for families, school groups and first-time opera audiences, the production combines storytelling, theatre, music and colourful animal costumes to introduce younger audiences to the world of opera.

The story follows a spirited young fox determined to live freely in the forest. Along the way, she encounters both animals and humans, exploring themes of friendship, courage, love, and respect for nature through humour and adventure.

The English adaptation was written by Cape Town Opera's recently appointed Librettist in Residence, Alan Olejniczak, with Jan Hugo as musical director. The production also marks the operatic directorial debut of Fiona du Plooy.

Taking a break from rehearsals are Karli Botha from Durbanville, Sophie Atkinson from Bergvliet, Philippa Sutton from Tokai, Shiloh Nyeleni from West Beach and Zach Atkinson (Sophie’s brother) from Bergvliet.
Taking a break from rehearsals are Karli Botha from Durbanville, Sophie Atkinson from Bergvliet, Philippa Sutton from Tokai, Shiloh Nyeleni from West Beach and Zach Atkinson (Sophie’s brother) from Bergvliet.Picture: Allison Foat 

The cast features guest artists Siphamandla Moyake as Sharp Ears, the young vixen, Nica Reinke as Gold Stripe, the fox, Thandolwethu Longo as the Owl, Mandisinde Mbuyazwe as the Poacher, and Dumisa Masoka as the Hen.

CTO House Soloists Nonhlanhla Yende and Conroy Scott play the Forester and the Forester's Wife, while members of the Cape Town Opera Children's Chorus appear as woodland creatures, including dragonflies, fox cubs, frogs and hedgehogs.

Performances run from Tuesday, July 21 to Friday, July 24 at 11am, with two performances daily on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 at 11am and 2pm.

Tickets cost R80 and are available through Webtickets. Group bookings can be made by emailing booking@capetownopera.co.za