Ahead of the recent debut of Disney’s “The Magic Box” musical in Cape Town, I caught up with Ashley Scott, who has been cast as Mara.
A top LAMTA alumna, viewers will remember her from M-Net’s “White Lies” and short films, “Surprise!” and “We Were Here. She was also in stage productions like “The Sound of Music”, “Popcorn” and “Women On Top”.
With such an infectious personality, it was a no-brainer as to why she was cast in such an inspiring role.
Revisiting her journey in landing the role of Mara, Scott shared: “I was busy with ‘The Sound of Music’ when the auditions came around for ‘The Magic Box’.”
Of course, she was determined to be part of the show.
Following the first round of auditions in Joburg, the next round was a callback with the creative team from the different countries.
She added: “But during the callback, I was in India busy with an IPL cheerleading contract and missed the in-person auditions. I was fortunate enough to speak to our resident director, and said even if I’m the third tree from the left, I will be happy if they can see me.
“And so I got the video international callback with the creative team and was then booked the role of Mara, which was a dream come true for me.”
Being a part of such a big-scale show, rehearsals has been experience in and of itself.
Scott agreed: “We have a very talented 26- piece all-South African cast. Our whole crew is also South African. It is a huge moving machine of just love and kindness in a room. The rehearsal process was very intense from the start.
“We have incredible puppets, who are very well-known and very well-loved like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Daisy and Donald Duck, in the show.
“So our first experience meeting these puppets was so special. We weren’t allowed to see the puppets not animated.
The first time we met them was with the puppeteers in the show.
“It was very, very special. There were tears in the room, there was laughter. I just remember seeing Mickey for the first time and I just was giggling from excitement. It was such nostalgic childhood memories … to see Mickey in person was surreal.”
The immersive theatrical sensory experience, taking in 100 years of Disney, tells the story of Mara who embarks on a magical journey with Mickey Mouse and his friends.
The characters are brought to life by Brett De Groot, Nqobile Hlekwayo, Ghia Hough, Pule Buys and Tumelo Mogashoa.
She added: “Our rehearsals were so interesting with all the different elements that formed part of ‘The Magic Box’. We have projections and puppeteers, we also have elaborate costumes.
“Also, our huge set as well. Our rehearsal process was so intense but that is why we are where we are today, which is just incredible.”
Shedding light on her character’s journey, Scott admitted: “Mara is in every one of us, I believe strongly. When I first read through the character, I connected with her deeply because she is a woman who is most likely going through a lot of life stressors, changes, and probably financial stress, maybe she’s lost in love, maybe she’s unsuccessful in her career, she feels a bit lost.
“And her journey through ‘The Magic Box’ is reconnecting with her inner-child and learning lessons from Mickey (De Groot) and the rest of the team like what it means to connect with yourself again and to live a life that is fun and meaningful.
“I connected with her because I’ve also felt those feelings of being lost or being unsure of the decisions that I have made or feeling unsuccessful in certain areas. Or having high pressure on myself. And that is exactly where Mara is. She is learning how to be young again.
“It is just so special what she learns, she ends the show wanting to share her experiences and encourages everyone in the audience to connect with their inner child.”
Of course, music is an integral part of the show.
Scott said: “I don’t even know where to start. There are over 75 Disney songs in this musical all meshed together into an original score, which will just blow you away. It is intellectual, it’s moving, it’s magical and you are sure to know if not all of them.
“It is toe-tapping and moving. When I first heard the score, I was blown away by Isaac Saul, our musical director and writer of the score.”
On sharing most of her scenes with De Groot, she revealed: “It’s been a whirlwind of fun with Mickey. He’s constantly getting Mara into trouble. Harmless trouble. To work alongside Brett is so incredible. Right from the get-go, we had such an incredible connection in understanding how Mickey and Mara would interact.”
Scott says this show is for everyone, whether you a 6 or 60.
She added: “It is something that everyone can connect with. This musical is the sum of all of its parts. You will see how much love and passion has gone into making it a reality.”
Fresh from Buenos Aires, Argentina, this musical promises theatregoers a magical experience by tapping into nostalgic childhood memories and creating cherished ones for the new generation.