Joshua Arnold, in Grade 12, recently broke the record for participating in a Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA)/Young Performers production every year since Grade 7, overtaking former DHS learner and former record holder, Blessing Xaba.
This year, Joshua, from Umbilo, was recently awarded the role of Buddy Holly in the theatrical production called The Buddy Holly Story directed by Themi Venturas, to be hosted at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 18 July until 7 August, 2016.
This production, which also features Des Govender as the vocal coach, Daisy Spencer as the choreographer and Dawn Selby as the musical director, tells the true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when ‘That’ll be the day’ hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on “the day the music died”. The show features, amongst other music, over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits. The incredible legacy of the young man with glasses, whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period during the golden days of rock & roll, continues to live on in Buddy.
Auditions for the production were open to all high school learners and Joshua was chosen as the perfect person for the leading role.
Some of the previous roles played by Joshua include:
the character of JoJo in Suissical in 2011 (Grade 7);
the reporter in Legally Blonde in 2012;
Ghost in Can you feel it in 2013;
Will in Footloose in 2014;
William in Soldiers in the City in 2015
and for Kickstart Theatre Productions: December Pantomime he played the part of Michael Darling in 2009 in Peter Pan and Ned in 2010 Robin Hood and the Babes in the wood, all held at the Sneddon Theatre at UKZN Howard College Campus.
Congratulations, Joshua, we are very proud of you and look forward to watching your career with interest!
For more information about The Buddy Holly Story contact Riaan Timson at gm@keepthedream.org or call 031-837 7400 … and don’t forget to go watch the show!
