23 March 2023
In May, Maritzburg College will be presenting “My Fair Lady”, the popular musical based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. It will be a co-production, with girls from, among others, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High, Epworth, Russell High, Chislehurst, and even a home-schooled learner, featuring in the cast.
The choreographer is Caitlyn Saville, who matriculated from Girls’ High last year. She was part of a Maritzburg College collaborative production every year of her high school career, something which, she said in a recent chat, was highly rewarding. It also changed her perception of what a Maritzburg College boy is.
“It’s kind of odd”
“It’s kind of odd, because your initial opinion – and I think this applies to most people – is that College boys are rough and they’re all rugby players and so into sports’ training, but there is such a different side to them when you get involved in something like this,” she explained.
“You actually meet the guys that are involved in 1st team rugby and also involved in the shows. You see a completely different side to them, a light-hearted gentleman every time.
“There are talented people in the shows that play multiple sports, and are academic achievers… There are quite a few people that are surprised when they hear they are part of the production.”
Caitlyn attended Athlone Primary School, where she participated in ballet. She was also part of stage productions in grades six and seven. That was when she was introduced to College’s performing arts. Tickets were offered to the children at Athlone to watch “Trash! the Musical”, so a group of them visited College for the show. “After that, I knew that I wanted to take part in it,” she said.
A great decision
The following year, at Girls’ High, she joined her first Maritzburg College stage production, “Guys and Dolls”. That was a great decision, she said: “It was scary, at first, daunting, because there are people that are a lot more experienced in the lead roles, and they understand what is going on, but it’s a fun experience. It helps you get out of your shell as a grade 8, especially because it starts at the beginning of the year. You meet people easier, and gain confidence.”
After that, it was something she didn’t need to pause to consider. She was in for the collaborations for the rest of her high school career: “Fawlty Towers”, “Les Misérables”, “The Show Must Go Online” and “By Jeeves”.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 prevented “Les Misérables” being presented, while “The Show Must Go Online” was presented on the Internet as part of the National Arts Festival, again because of Covid. Last year, she choreographed “By Jeeves”.
Lasting rewards
The rewards have been lasting, she said: “There’s a stereotype when it comes to doing things like this – the girls are just in it for the boys and to be around the boys. But it’s a completely different ball game when you’re actually there.
“You bond with people, and you create life-long relationships. I think there’s a lot of attraction, particularly when you’re in grade 8, because it’s a new environment. After that, it is an incredible bonding experience. I am still friends with people that I met in 2018.”
From that very first experience in grade 8 with “Guys and Dolls”, because of her experience in ballet, Caitlyn helped out with the choreography. Then, for “The Show Must Go Online”, College’s Director of Music and Performing Arts, Simon Stickells, asked her to choreograph some of the pieces.
Over the years, sometimes, the boys would ask for easier routines. They would offer up suggestions. “They contribute quite a bit, actually,” Caitlyn revealed. “Obviously, if I put something forward that they’re not capable of, they’ll show me something similar to it that they are capable of, and I can maybe teach to others. So, their opinion comes into play quite often. I can’t just assume what they can do and what they can’t.”
An inspirational leader
Mr Stickells was in charge of every production in which Caitlyn featured, excepting for “Fawlty Towers”, which was led by Mrs Kamany Thaver, with Mr Stickells helping with sound and lighting on that occasion. He was certainly one of the reasons she returned year after year, Caitlyn said.
“He’s a lot of fun and an interesting person. There’s never a dull moment. He’s quite spontaneous and he keeps things interesting.”
After “By Jeeves” in 2022, Mr Stickells asked Caitlyn what her study plans were. She informed him that she would possibly be based in Pietermaritzburg, and offered her help, if needed.
Later, after it had been decided that College would be performing “My Fair Lady”, he called her up and asked her to choreograph the show. She accepted.
Heavy preparation schedule
A lot of work goes into a production, Caitlyn explained: “The schedule is a bit more lenient in the beginning, so that would usually be three nights a week, but, as it comes closer to the show it becomes six days a week, for three hours every day.” And it’s not just about the actors and the backstage crew, the music, all performed by the College boys, has to be spot on, too.
Then again, it’s an encore for Caitlyn, an opportunity to experience the bonding experience, that of being part of “the family”, that is hard to resist.
If she has any advice to offer to any girl considering whether or not to try out for a Maritzburg College stage production, it is short and simple. Do it as soon as possible.
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