#MusicExchange: Alistair Izobell

26 Jun 2018

The festive musical production Satin to Sequins - More than a Minstrel, directed by the award-winning Alistair Izobell, will light up the Baxter Concert Hall stage in Cape Town for three weeks from 28 June 2018.

Written and produced by Oddball Concepts, the production aims to entertain audiences while hoping to de-stigmatise the perceptions and culture of the Cape Town minstrels. The stellar cast is made up of Carmen Maarman, Carlo Daniels, Austin Rose, Tashreeq De Villiers, Shadley Schroeder, and Ashtevahn Mintoor accompanied by a live band.

I spoke to Izobell, earlier this week.

Satin to Sequins is a theater production that tells the stories of the “Kaapse Klopse” troupe, the Woodstock Darlings. Book at Webtickets, click here - https://t.co/DvuFHoYz6Z pic.twitter.com/PTvDmGbE33
— Baxter Theatre (@BaxterTheatre) June 10, 2018

What does music mean to you?

Music is part of my every thought. It makes sense of my life. It makes me feel like it will always be okay.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

To watch a production come together after being a thought, from an idea to an end product; when you have allowed it to tell you what it wants to be. When actors take the words you wrote and breathe life into them. That first applause or laugh from the audience.

What drives you: ego or humility?

Humility. My ego has had enough stroking over the years. It’s now about the humility.

Any funny moments on stage?

Too many to count. But now after three decades, what would have been funny moments turned into panic 'cause you don’t think as fast and you tend to forget words more often than not and everyone else finds it funny.

Which living person do you admire most and why?

David Kramer, my mentor. I get to have one-on-one conversations about life and more and about my craft with a living legend who has achieved the dreams I dream of.