TYD & WEILL Sings Kurt Weill to Life at Stellenbosch's Drostdy Theatre

The legendary music of Kurt Weill will fill the auditorium of the Drostdy Theatre in Stellenbosch when TYD & WEILL, which premiered at the US Woordfees in March, makes its bow there this October. The brainchild of producer Pieter van Helslandt, who also serves as the writer and music arranger for the production, TYD & WEILL builds a narrative around a sensitive, yet meticulous selection of songs from the pen of this esteemed and legendary composer, whose life was dramatised in the Alfred Uhry's 2007 musical LOVEMUSIK, starring Michael Cerveris and Donna Murphy.

TYD & WEILL is a theatrical cabaret-drama in which Van Helslandt brings to life a muse who inspired the legendary German composer. Weill was best known for his collaborations with the poet, playwright and theatre director, Bertold Brecht. His success began in the 1920s, an extraordinarily vibrant era in the midst of Germany's political turmoil and a looming worldwide economic depression. Shortly before the start of World War II, Weill fled Nazi Germany and established himself in New York where he continued his career as composer, however he refused to continue writing in German as an act of resistance against Nazism and very seldom spoke the language after his arrival in America. He died of a heart attack shortly after his 50th birthday in 1950.

TYD & WEILL highlights cultural and political similarities between Weill's context and the often-criticized climate of South Africa. Weill's surroundings, characterised by political instability and the occurrence of cultural intolerance, form a parallel through which South Africans may be warned of future injustice. Weill's compositions do not only speak of the severe emotional impact that warfare has on the human race, but also point out several of mankind's weaknesses that lead to social and moral decay: cruelty, abuse, corruption, decadence - all of which are factors that often lead to the destruction of society causing great loss, pain and suffering. By collaborating extensively with various writers and poets, Weill succeeded in emphasizing these observations by 'translating' word into song, creating works of art that allows one to gaze into the heart and soul of humanity. Even the simple beauty of wanting to spend 'these few precious days' (Maxwell Anderson's lyric from "September Song" in KNICKERBOCKER HOLIDAY) with a loved one or the curious story of 'a girl named Jenny' (Ira Gershwin's lyric from "The Saga of Jenny" from LADY IN THE DARK) manages to provide these portals through which audiences of the show will be able to scrutinize their existence.

Marlie Katzke (CABARET, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE WIZARD OF OZ) takes on the role of Weill's muse in TYD & WEILL, with music provided by Pieter van Helslandt (accordion), Wilken Calitz (violin) and Graham Strickland (bass). Lighting design for the production is by Marí Borstlap, while the direction has been handled by Chris van Niekerk.

TYD & WEILL will be performed at the Drostdy Theatre in Stellenbosch from 15 - 18 and 21 - 24 October at 20:15 nightly. This production hopes to sets a high standard for the contemporary arts in South Africa and strives to earn a position in the heritage of South African theatre for generations to come. Tickets, costing R120.00, are available at The Drostdy Theatre website or by phone on 071 931 9954. Special rates apply for students, senior citizens and group bookings.