Introducing Maid Marian

Janice Honeymoon’s latest pantomime, Robin Hood and the Babes in the Woods is coming to the Joburg Theatre, soon.

One of the main characters, Maid Marian is played by Roodepoort’s own Carmen Pretorius. Pretorius is a former pupil of Northcliff High School. This actress, tiny in stature, greets with a friendly smile. She is giving Roodepoort Northsider a few minutes to talk between the busy rehearsals.

“From the time that I can remember, I always loved the performing arts,” said Pretorius. She added that her first real memory is of her in the car singing loudly. Singing is her first love, but she also participated in dance as a school pupil. “I began acting in amateur shows at Northcliff High and discovered that I can do this,” she said. At the age of 18, right in the middle of her matric year, Pretorius won the role of Gabriella in a high school musical competition.

“I never went back to school, as soon after I won I went on tour. I only went back for the farewell, but by that time my hair was died black for the role,” she explained. She played the main character in the movie, Lien se Lankstaan Skoene in 2012 and recently completed her tour of the stage production, The Sound of Music.

Being offered the the role of Maid Marian was not expected. She received the role and had to do previews two days after that. “I strongly believe that one is born with a purpose; things always just fall into place if it has to be,” she smiled. She added that she is blessed to have such supportive parents, who stood by her and her career choice.

She explained that her and Izak Davel, who plays Robin Hood, also co-star in Isidingo, which makes it easier.

“People can look forward to a brand-new Pantomime, which has not been performed anywhere, yet. All the pantomimes are always more for girls, such as, Cinderella, but now boys too can see their role model, Robin Hood, on stage,” she enthused.