South Africa’s biggest television talent show is making history again. The first three stage shows of Idols SA, which is a co-production between M-Net and Mzansi Magic this season, will take place at the newly built Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, Soweto in July.
The talented Idols wannabes, who first wowed feared judges – Randall Abrahams, Unathi Msengana and Gareth Cliff – at the countrywide auditions and then rose to the top at the gruelling theatre phase, will encounter the scrutiny of the voting public from this brand-new venue during the show’s group phase.
The first two Idols season 8 group shows will be recorded at the Soweto Theatre on Tuesday, 17 July and Thursday, 19 July respectively. Thereafter, both groups will face their fate on the same stage at the live Idols results show, scheduled for Sunday, 29 July.
M-Net and Mzansi Magic will announce the broadcast dates of the first two recorded group shows as well as the voting procedures at a later stage.
Lebone Maema, channel head for Mzansi Magic, says these performances at the Soweto Theatre are one of the most exciting developments in the show’s history. “Last year’s Idols simulcast on Mzansi Magic broadened the Idols fan base incredibly and the hugely successful recent auditions in Soweto indicated that it would be appropriate to record some of the shows in the area. Fortunately, the Soweto Theatre is opening its doors now and we’re excited to put this new much-anticipated theatre facility on the map by taking Idols there.”
Idols SA’s executive producer and director, Gavin Wratten, who has been involved with the show from the first season and has recorded music shows at countless venues around the country, adds that it’s a great honour to be the first television production making use of the Soweto Theatre. “We’re impressed with the potential of this new venue for filming purposes and look forward to the way it will amplify the drama of Idols in fresh ways. Having a new Idols space creates countless opportunities.”
The Top 10 stage shows and results shows will still play out at the Mosaiek Theatre in Fairlands.
