Hollywood, the exuberant production from LAMTA (Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy), is at heart an homage to the Hollywood of the 1950s and in particular the golden age of the Hollywood musical. It is a loving tribute to when movies were shot on studio back lots, when Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers could be found on sound stages, when musicals were the rage, and no one blinked an eye when a film contained an extended dance sequence.

Hollywood pays tribute to show business with panache and a great deal of style. The works are varied and highly entertaining. The talented cast performs with enthusiasm and confidence and never once does the energy lag. They deliver an evening of dance that embraces ballet, jazz, graceful acrobatics and a whole lot of heart. The eleven choreographers have done an outstanding job of creating works that take us and the dancers through all the moods and cycles of a life in performance. Hats off to the young singers who performed both soaring and delicate songs with such professional ease and surety.

NARDUS ENGELBRECHT’s behind the scene pictures give us a sneak peek into the heart of the production.