The Fugard Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company Present Kunene and the King
Eric Abraham presents a Fugard Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company co-production of Kunene and the King, the new play by John Kani.
Kunene and the King, comes to The Fugard Theatre in April 2019, hot off its world premiere at The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
This moving and funny two-hander provides a fitting tribute to mark the 25th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections after apartheid. Written by actor, activist and playwright, John Kani, famous for his productions including The Tempest, The Island, and also starring in the recent blockbuster movie Black Panther, Kunene and the King reunites a powerhouse team, with director Janice Honeyman fromThe Tempest, Missing, Nothing But The Truth, Hello and Goodbye and Kani performing opposite Sir Antony Sher, who performed in The Tempest, The Fugard Theatre’s production of Broken Glass, the RSC productions of King Lear during 2016 and 2018 and Death of a Salesman.
Design is by Birrie le Roux, known for her work in Shakespeare in Love, King Kong as well as Orpheus in Africa. Lighting is by Mannie Manim, who worked on The Tempest, Sizwe Banzi is Dead, The Fugard Theatre’s productions of The Mother, The Painted Rocks At Revolver Creek, and The Blue Iris.
In Kunene and the King, it is South Africa, 2019. Twenty five years since the first post-Apartheid democratic elections, two men from contrasting walks of life are thrust together to reflect on a quarter century of change.
Daniel Galloway, Executive Director of The Fugard Theatre, notes that they are honoured to be presenting this co-production of John Kani’s new play with The Royal Shakespeare Company, and welcoming him, along with Sir Antony Sher and Janice Honeyman back to The Fugard Theatre. It is indeed a fitting way to mark 25 years of a democratic South Africa, with three of the country’s internationally acclaimed theatre talents and this important play.
Kunene and the King
The Fugard Theatre
From 30 April 2019
Tickets go on sale from Monday, 5 November 2018.
Tickets, once open for sale for the limited season of 4 weeks only, can be booked directly through The Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or through The Fugard Theatre’s website at www.thefugard.com