Multiple award-winning actor and popular TV and film star Desmond Dube has joined the cast of the Fugard Theatre’s hit production of the iconic South African musical King Kong.  Dube has stepped into the central role of Pop in the production, which is currently playing at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town, having been extended for a final time to 4 March 2018.

Presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, this production of the historic musical King Kong has received five star reviews in 2017. Dube joins the cast fresh from the success of an international tour and Johannesburg run of The Market Theatre’s production of The Suitcase, adapted and directed by James Ngcobo from the short story by Es’kia Mphahlele.

King Kong tells the story of heavyweight fifties boxing champion Ezekiel Dlamini whose self-appointed ring name was “King Kong” to the wildly exhilarating music of Todd Matshikiza.  Dube joins Andile Gumbi as King Kong and Edith Plaatjies as shebeen queen Joyce.  The Fugard Theatre’s King Kong is directed by Jonathan Munby.

The Fugard Theatre’s production sees Musical Direction by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Sipumzo Trueman Lucwaba.

The Fugard Theatre’s King Kong cast includes: Sanda Shandu as Lucky, Tshamano Sebe as Jack, Ntambo Rapatla as Miriam and Josslynn Hlenti as Petal.

Also performing with the ensemble are Joel Zuma, JT Medupe, Athenkosi Mfamela, Shalom Zamisa, Sibusiso Mxosana ; Aphiwe Menziwa,  Namisa Mdlalose, Siphiwe Nkabinde, Lungelwa Mdekazi, Barileng Malebye, Rushney Ferguson, Given Mkhize, Siyasanga Papu, Ziyanda Yako, Masego Mothibakgomo  and Jabulani Gambu.

A live 9-piece band, under the direction of Sipumzo Trueman Lucwaba, accompanies the action at every performance.

KING KONG runs at the Fugard Theatre until 4 March 2018 Tuesday to Saturdays at 8pm with a matinee at 3pm on Saturdays and on Sundays at 4pm.

Tickets cost from R130 to R280. Bookings can be made at Webtickets www.webtickets.co.za and through the Fugard Theatre Box office on 021 461 4554.

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The Color Purple, as a musical, was originally produced on Broadway in 2005, by a team of producers, including Oprah Winfrey and received eleven Tony nominations.  Now, this musical is to be seen on a South African Stage, as directed by Janice Honeyman, and Rowan Bakker as Musical director with an all South African cast.

Enter our competition here, and hope the luck of the purple draw is on your side…

The Color Purple Competition Form

[contact-form-7 id=”7224″ title=”The Color Purple”]

Please Note:

1. Competition Closes on Monday, 5 February 2018.
2. Tickets are only valid for the specified dates and performance times, and my not be upgraded, or exchanged for cash, or for alternate performances.
3. The prize comprises of two tickets per Price Winner.
4. No-Shows will not receive replacement tickets.
5. By entering this competition, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions.
6. Excess entries may cause your email to be seen as spam.

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In August 2016, director Janice Honeyman, executive producer Bernard Jay and musical director Rowan Bakker embarked on a search for the two women who would be chosen to play the lead roles of Celie and Shug Avery in the Tony Award winning musical The Color Purple, to be staged for the first time in South Africa in 2018 and with an all-South African cast.

After gruelling auditions in Cape Town, Pretoria and Joburg of over 250 performers, the team finally found South Africa’s answers for the two currently most coveted female roles in musical theatre. Today, we are excited to reveal the two South African actresses who will be playing these roles in the first major international production of The Color Purple since the Broadway revival.

At a media junket, held at Joburg Theatre, it was revealed that Didintle Khunou will be playing the role of Celie – a caring and gentle girl whose resilience is truly miraculous and ultimately a tribute to humankind – and Molebatsi Lekgetha will be playing the role of Shug Avery – the archetypal blues woman, with her earthy wisdom and singer lifestyle.

Didintle Khunou, 25, is a Wits School of Arts graduate, having obtained a BA Honours Degree in Dramatic Arts. She has made many television appearances, the most recent being the second season of SABC2’s popular Sotho drama series Mamello, directed by SAFTA award-winning director Zuko Nodada.

Born and raised in Pretoria, Molebatsi Lekgetha, 33, began exploring her talent as a performer in primary school. Her love and passion for the arts directed her to study and complete a BA (Drama) Degree at the University of Pretoria. She immediately landed a lead role in Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Market Theatre, for which she received a Naledi Award Nomination for Best Performance By A Newcomer. .

Didintle and Molebatsi join a talented all South African cast, which features Zane Gillion, Sebe Leotlela (as Nettie), Dolly Louw, Andile Magxaki, Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri (as Harpo), Venolia Manale, Namisa Mdlalose, Phumi Mncayi, Neo Motaung (as Sofia), Tshepo Ncokoane, Thokozani Nzima, Funeka Peppeta, Aubrey Poo (as Mister), Senzesihle Radebe, Lelo Ramasimong, Zolani Shangase, Ayanda Sibisi and Lebo Toko.

The director is Janice Honeyman, musical director Rowan Bakker, production designer Sarah Roberts, lighting designer Mannie Manim and The Color Purple is produced by Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay in association with MNet and 702.

The Color Purple is based upon the 1982 novel written by Alice Walker and the 1985 Warner Bros/Amblin Entertainment Motion Picture, directed by Steven Spielberg. The musical’s book is by Marsha Norman and the music and lyrics are by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The musical The Color Purple was originally produced on Broadway in 2005 by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman and Quincy Jones, receiving eleven 2006 Tony Award nominations. The recent Broadway revival enjoyed tremendous success, boosted by its major Tony Award wins in 2016 and Grammy Award in 2017.

The musical will have preview performances in The Mandela at Joburg Theatre from January 31st 2018, with its official opening night on Sunday February 4th and running until Sunday March 4th 2018. Tickets from R240 are already on sale: telephone 0861 670 670, go online at www.joburgtheatre.com or book in person at the Joburg Theatre box office. Theatre patrons can also book online and pay at selected Pick N Pay stores.

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Over half a century since the world premiere of the original production of King Kong – The Musical, Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre bring this legendary and iconic musical ‘home’ to Johannesburg. The run comes hot off the Cape Town season, which is currently playing to five star reviews, rapturous responses and sold-out houses at the Fugard Theatre until 2 September.

Eric Abraham produces and presents this Fugard Theatre production, which runs from 12 September to 8 October 2017 at the Mandela Theatre at the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg.

The Fugard Theatre’s KING KONG is directed by Jonathan Munby who directed the Fugard Theatre’s production of A Human Being died that Night. Following King Kong, Munby directs Sir Ian McKellen in Shakespeare’s King Lear for the Chichester Festival in the UK.

The Fugard Theatre’s production sees Musical Direction by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder (West Side Story, Funny Girl, Cabaret) and Sipumzo Trueman Lucwaba with additional music and arrangements by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.

Cast in the title roles of King Kong South African, are actor, singer and dancer Andile Gumbi and multiple award-winning actress and singer-songwriter Nondumiso Tembewill. The Fugard Theatre’s KING KONG cast includes Sanda Shanduas Lucky, Tshamano Sebeas Jack, Ntambo Rapatla, Sne Dladlaas Pop, Lerato Mvelase and Sabelo Radebe.

Also performing with the ensemble are Joel Zuma, Ben Kgosimore, Athenkozi Mfamela, Shalom Zamisa, Sibusiso Mxosana, Aphiwe Menziwa, Namisa Mdlalose, Siphiwe Nkabinde, Lungelwa Mdekazi, Dolly Louw, Barileng Malebye, Edith Plaatjies, Rushney Ferguson and Given Mkhize.

A live 9-piece band, under the direction of Sipumzo Trueman Lucwaba, will accompany the action at every performance.

The original production featured music by Todd Matshikiza, lyrics and original book by Pat Williams and book by Harry Bloom. Songs such as Back of the Moon, King Kong and Sad Times, Bad Times, have become popular South African favourites and are firmly entrenched in this country’s musical history. Sales of the original recording achieved unprecedented numbers, with reviews such as “This for my money is the record of the year” (Rand Daily Mail) and ‘Five stars!” (Drum). The cast recording was the first release of an all-black production in South Africa and unusual in that the libretti was included with the LP, which normally only happens with opera recordings. Arthur Goldreich designed the sets for the original production with original musical direction by Stanley Glasser.

KING KONG will run at the the Mandela Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Johannesburg from 12 September until 8 October 2017, Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm with a 3pm matinee performance on Saturdays and 2pm matinee on Sundays. The Mandela Theatre is situated at 163 Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein. Tickets range from R150 to R350.

Bookings for the Johannesburg season can be made at Webtickets www.webtickets.co.za or through the Joburg Theatre Box Office on 0861670670 or 011 877 6855.

For further information visithttp://www.kingkongstagemusical.com

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