'Guts and Glory': A theatrical exploration through song
In 'Guts and Glory', we're introduced to a world that no longer knows which way is up and follow two characters who are ultimately intertwined and hopelessly opposite.
According to a press release by Oh Shift: "Grief, anxiety, despair and breakdown feed the one, while truth, trouble and giving up motivate the other. It's a tour de force of the voice and an emotional look at how keeping it together all the time is impossible and unsustainable. Let us fall apart together and figure out how to put ourselves together again".
Featuring Sven-Eric Müller and Lize Ehlers, the theatre performance - which takes place at the Brewer's Market this Sunday, 30 October - will only be accessible to those who purchase pre-sale tickets via sven-eric.com, or by calling 081 810 0761. Tickets are N$100.
Passion for performance
Born and bred in Namibia, Müller has always had a huge passion for performance. He went on to pursue a formal education in theatre in Cape Town in 2009. He spent the last decade in the professional South African theatre industry with a short stint in Australia and the odd trip to Namibia for teaching and performing.
During his professional theatre career, Müller spent five years with a contemporary ballet company, growing from apprentice to principal. He moved on to musical theatre, where he did everything from cabaret and 'Funny Girl' to 'West Side Story' and 'Joseph'. Many musicals led to buckets of knowledge and experience in theatre practices.
In 2018, he shifted gears once more and entered the creative space by choreographing and directing his second contemporary ballet, 'Aivilo'. He was also the resident choreographer for 'Gate69' (cabaret theatre) in Cape Town for five years.
Recently, his career took another shift when he opened his movement studio, Oh Shift, in Windhoek during the pandemic. The vision forward is to keep healing and helping as many bodies as possible while stepping back into the performance realm in full force.
Heart for community
Meanwhile, Ehlers is Namibia’s "president of the arts". She is a multi-award-winning, sought-after singer, songwriter, musical director, creative director, theatre director, producer, actress, writer, DJ and music agent with a multitude of productions below her belt and mentees she can recommend at a drop of a hat.
Founder and director of Song Night, she has mentored emerging singers since 2011. As the technical director of Drag Night, she provides a safe space for drag artists to perform in Namibia, showcasing her heart for her community. Born and raised in Mariental, Ehlers is a creative pioneer, and was the recipient of the first-ever artist of the year award at the Namibian Annual Music Awards in 2019. She also co-composed the soundtrack for 'Baxu & The Giants', Namibia’s only film on Netflix. Further, she has won the best theatre actress in Namibia award twice. In 2007, for portraying Leah B, directed by Tanya Terblanche, and in 2017, for playing Meisie Van Mariental, directed by Sandy Rudd. Often steered by her overwhelming care for people and their potential, Ehlers is an empath with a great vision for using art to heal from grief and trauma.
According to a press release by Oh Shift: "Grief, anxiety, despair and breakdown feed the one, while truth, trouble and giving up motivate the other. It's a tour de force of the voice and an emotional look at how keeping it together all the time is impossible and unsustainable. Let us fall apart together and figure out how to put ourselves together again".
Featuring Sven-Eric Müller and Lize Ehlers, the theatre performance - which takes place at the Brewer's Market this Sunday, 30 October - will only be accessible to those who purchase pre-sale tickets via sven-eric.com, or by calling 081 810 0761. Tickets are N$100.
Passion for performance
Born and bred in Namibia, Müller has always had a huge passion for performance. He went on to pursue a formal education in theatre in Cape Town in 2009. He spent the last decade in the professional South African theatre industry with a short stint in Australia and the odd trip to Namibia for teaching and performing.
During his professional theatre career, Müller spent five years with a contemporary ballet company, growing from apprentice to principal. He moved on to musical theatre, where he did everything from cabaret and 'Funny Girl' to 'West Side Story' and 'Joseph'. Many musicals led to buckets of knowledge and experience in theatre practices.
In 2018, he shifted gears once more and entered the creative space by choreographing and directing his second contemporary ballet, 'Aivilo'. He was also the resident choreographer for 'Gate69' (cabaret theatre) in Cape Town for five years.
Recently, his career took another shift when he opened his movement studio, Oh Shift, in Windhoek during the pandemic. The vision forward is to keep healing and helping as many bodies as possible while stepping back into the performance realm in full force.
Heart for community
Meanwhile, Ehlers is Namibia’s "president of the arts". She is a multi-award-winning, sought-after singer, songwriter, musical director, creative director, theatre director, producer, actress, writer, DJ and music agent with a multitude of productions below her belt and mentees she can recommend at a drop of a hat.
Founder and director of Song Night, she has mentored emerging singers since 2011. As the technical director of Drag Night, she provides a safe space for drag artists to perform in Namibia, showcasing her heart for her community. Born and raised in Mariental, Ehlers is a creative pioneer, and was the recipient of the first-ever artist of the year award at the Namibian Annual Music Awards in 2019. She also co-composed the soundtrack for 'Baxu & The Giants', Namibia’s only film on Netflix. Further, she has won the best theatre actress in Namibia award twice. In 2007, for portraying Leah B, directed by Tanya Terblanche, and in 2017, for playing Meisie Van Mariental, directed by Sandy Rudd. Often steered by her overwhelming care for people and their potential, Ehlers is an empath with a great vision for using art to heal from grief and trauma.
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