Backstage: The boys in the Photograph

While millions of South Africans count down the days to the World Cup, a month-long soccer showpiece has already begun.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton's mega-musical, The Boys in the Photograph, has made its long-awaited debut on The Joburg Theatre stage.

It portrays the tumultuous journey of a team of young Irish soccer players. Set against the backdrop of religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics, the boys must deal with inequality, hatred and betrayal as they try to fulfil their dreams.

The play was originally titled The Beautiful Game when it first premiered at London's Cambridge Theatre, but has been renamed to reflect its multifaceted content. "Though football plays a key role in the story, it acts as a metaphor for youth, passion, loyalty and the desire to fulfil one's dreams," says playwright Ben Elton.

As the boys manoeuvre their way through life, some of their dreams are sidelined as they become victims, martyrs and terrorists. The resilient have the stamina to survive.

The Irish team members' stories are similar to those of SA's post-apartheid youths. "The post-apartheid struggle to achieve a rainbow nation and the dreams of young people are clearly reflected in the North Irish story," says Elton.

Led by well-known South African director Janice Honeyman, the production hosts an all South African cast, including Sibu Radebe and Neville Thomas and stars David Chevers and Carl Graeme.

"It's a beautiful love story set in turbulent times. As South Africans, we understand that. We understand what it's like to want peace desperately," says Graeme.

The cast's brilliance is matched by a multi-layered stage, as the actors sing war cries, hymns and anthems, conducted by musical director Clinton Zerf and played by a 10-piece orchestra.

On the complexity of conducting Andrew Lloyd Webber's music, Zerf says: "We used three synthesisers, some keyboards, a standard rock band along with Irish flutes, whistles and fiddles for this score. Getting the style right with so many elements and genres was quite tricky."

With a budget of R10.6-million, the musical is the only stage production created specifically to celebrate the World Cup.

The Boys in the Photograph is on at The Mandela at The Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein until July 11.