Orpheus in Africa at the Fugard Theatre

Due to popular demand, the classic musical tale of Orpheus is returning to the Fugard

Due to popular demand and a sell-out world premiere earlier this year, Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre’s production of David Kramer’s phenomenal production Orpheus in Africa is returning to the Fugard Theatre for a limited season only. Relaying the powerful story of the Virginia Jubilee Singer’s Tour of Queen Victoria’s colonies in the 19^th Century, the musical theatre performance is poignant, captivating and flawlessly executed. Orpheus in Africa will open Tuesday, 22 September, and is currently booking until Saturday, 31 October. Based on the unprecedented success of the last showing, it’s best to book quickly!

According to the Fugard Theatre’s Executive Director Daniel Galloway, “It’s always exciting for us to present musical theatre, but to be able to nurture and produce a new South African work is the most rewarding challenge of all. Unlike other shows that have been tried and tested on stages overseas, an original work like Orpheus in Africa has no predictable outcome. So we were especially thrilled at the overwhelming critical and box office response to it's first 'try-out, work-in-progress' season in February 2015. For those who weren't able to get a ticket, we offer an opportunity to see a work that David Kramer has 'fine-tuned' for the return season."

So what are you waiting for? Start booking your tickets now for this home-grown triumph of a production!

ORPHEUS IN AFRICA: THE PLOT

The musical takes its cue from the relatively unknown tale of Orpheus McAdoo, the free-born son of a slave and an African-American school teacher turned performer and singer, who toured the world with his very own musical performance group called The McAdoo Virginia Jubilee Singers. The band descended on the Cape Colony in the 1890s and brought their unique style of musical performance and minstrel showmanship to South African audiences. Orpheus was the first African-American impresario to perform in the region, and the musical follows the trials and triumphs of the group as they navigate a tumultuous racially prejudiced society.

ORPHEUS IN AFRICA: THE MUSIC

Part of the magic of the performance is its music. From spirituals to jazz, the songs track the incredible evolution of African-American music, and the score includes several original compositions by the indomitable Kramer. The audience will, undoubtedly, feel the urge to croon along to old classics such as Roll Jordan Roll, Swing Low Sweet Chariot and Hush and Deliver Daniel.

ORPHEUS IN AFRICA: THE CAST

The cast has remained virtually the same as in the production’s first season, with the wonderful Aubrey Poo leading the show as Orpheus. Orpheus’s fiancée, Mattie Allen, is played by West Side Story and Blood Brother’s star, Lynelle Kenned. Other returning cast members include: Jill Levenberg (Blood Brothers, Nancy), Jessica Sole (Beauty and the Beast, Annie), Dean Balie (Kat and the Kings, Blood Brothers), Sne Dladla (The Joke’s On You), Sanda Shandu (Presenter Search on 3), Bianca Flanders (Blood Brothers, Dig), Edith Plaatjies (Slick Swing, Blood Brothers), Graham Bourne (Showboat), and Katlego Moncho (Lerato, Waiting for the Rain). Additionally, Natasha Hess (West Side Story), Carlo Daniels (Kat and the Kings, Blood Brothers), Robin Pieters (Vocal Mania, Kaapse Musiek in Colour 2) and Jarrad Ricketts (Boy Band Mania, The Standards) will join the cast for the first time.

TICKETS FOR ORPHEUS IN AFRICA AT THE FUGARD

Tickets are available from Computicket.com, Computicket outlets and by calling the box office and they range in price from R110p/p to R220p/p depending on your selected seating. As an opening special, for the first week all tickets are R130 each! Contact Lamees Albertus at +27(0)21 461 4554 for information about discounted rates and packages for block bookings.

With the exception of Saturday’s afternoon performance, all shows start at 8pm and run for two and a half hours with a 20 -minute interval. The doors open 20 minutes before the show.

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Interested in other Cape Town theatre events? Have a squiz at our guide to October events to find out about more hot happenings taking place during the month.
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