Victory threatre reborn

'Put it this way, if it wasn't for Umoja there wouldn't be a theatre," explains The Victory's new owner, Joe Theron, above the sound of heavy drilling.

There's no front door onto Louis Botha Avenue. The foyer doubles as a jazz bar and patrons will enter through the four storeys of parking.

The original (re-clad) stage and seats have been retained. An orchestra pit has been dug out of the sand and a sound room can provide live television broadcasts. The auditorium is equipped with a R2,5-million sound system and state-of-the-art lighting. Welcome to the new-look Victory Theatre.

The cinema, which was built in Orange Grove in 1919, and also has a rich musical theatre history, now boasts raked seating, a fly tower, and a balcony.

Two-and-a-half years after purchasing this property, R26-million and an electrical substation later, The Victory officially rejoins Jo-burg's entertainment landscape next Tuesday.

"The biggest problem were the 300 squatters, who were relocated near Springs," the publisher and Sting Music founder stresses, pointing out the air-conditioned parking which doubles as drumming and rehearsal space.

The Victory is the home of the musical, Umoja the Spirit of Togetherness, now re- titled Africa Umoja. But the theatre, with its own African restaurant, will also be open for hire as well as hosting comedy shows, artists from the Sting Music stable and new ventures.

After the Victory Cinema started presenting live entertainment, the Ipi Ntombi cast included performers Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni. Years later their homegrown musical, Umoja, played in the same venue after its run at The Market Theatre in 1999.

"We have a history," says Nyandeni.

"When the Brooke Theatre was pulled down, that saddened us. Our memories just disappeared. This is the only old theatre left.

"The then owners, Paddy and Lorraine White, said we should buy it. We told Joe. He said it was too old. Then one day he said: 'Let's go for it'.

"Paddy and Lorraine have been invited to opening night. They'll never recognise this place in their wildest dreams," laughs Nyandeni with great pride.

Theron, Twala and Nyandeni co-own the show, but Theron owns the theatre.

The international tours fund the upkeep of Africa Umoja, which has three sets of props and costumes in Korea, the US and Holland.

The producer and co-creators are confident that this celebration of South African song and dance remains fresh.

Says Theron, who came on board as producer in 2001: "I must have seen the show 500 times. Each time it's different. It has travelled to 26 countries and I have never been in a theatre where there is not a standing ovation.

"Times change. We don't want to bore the audience. If you have seen it in London or Holland it will be different here," explains Nyandeni, who can't wait to start Saturday dance and music classes for 6- to 13-year-olds.

The complex, which has a green room with a kitchen and dressing rooms for 60 people, will also facilitate auditions.

Thembi Nyandeni, a sprightly 54-year-old, is very proud of her role as the shebeen queen in the Oscar-winning film, Tsotsi, and is a familiar face on TV's Generations and Zone 14. But she is proudest of all of her musical theatre achievements with her childhood friend, Todd Twala.

Any help from the City of Joburg for this renewal initiative?

"No help whatsoever," replies Theron.

Currently, there are three Africa Umoja touring companies of 40 people each. Because of the growing international demand for 2010, in respective football countries, five or six casts are a distinct possibility.

The target audiences for The Victory's Africa Umoja company are a mix of tourists and locals. The burning question is how long will this musical last?

"As long as any long-running show," answers Theron.

"It is the history of African music. Cats ran for 21 years and Umoja went into the New London Theatre straight after that."

A week ago the revived Victory looked far from finished.