The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb is a musical play by John Kani (1943-) and Barney Simon (1932-1995).
Contents
The original text
Subtitled The Story of Jesus Christ, the piece tells the story of Christ from the Annunciation to His Ascension, with the text taken from all four Gospels and featuring popular South African gospel music.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1991: Directed : Barney Simon at the Market Theatre. Cast : John Kani, Sibongile Khumalo, Sophie Mgcina, Lydia Hannibal. Harpist : Merle Thompson.
1993: Performed at the National Arts Festival, directed by Barney Simon, at the Market Theatre with John Kani as narrator, accompanied by the performers and singers Gloria Bosman, Felicia Marion and Jennifer Ferguson, Sibongile Khumalo, Sophie Mgcina, [[Lydia Hannibal] and the harpist Merle Thompson.
1998: Performed at the Market Theatre, directed by John Kani, featuring Kani himself as narrator, with Sibongile Ngoma, Margaret Motsaga and The Joy Celebration Choir.
2009: Performed at the Market Theatre, directed by John Kani with a cast that included John Kani (narrator), Nokukhanya Dlamini, Margaret Motsage (lead singers), Thobekile Masinga, Xolani Mdlalose, Bubele Mgele, Sarah Mphuthi (back singers)
2019: Played at Market Theatre 22 November to 22 December, directed by James Ngcobo with John Kani as the enigmatic storyteller/narrator and a large cast that included Nokukhanya Dlamini, Gugu Shezi, Nomfundo Dlamini, Lerato Gwebu, Lerato Mvelase, Itumeleng Tshabane and guitarist Avril Mkansi. The crew for the production included musical direction by Tshepo Mngoma, lighting design by Mandla Mtshali, set design by Nadya Cohen and costume design by Nthabiseng Makone.
Sources
National Arts Festival programme, 1993. 49.
Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
https://joburg.co.za/john-kani-the-lion-and-the-lamb-at-the-market-theatre/
https://culture-review.co.za/the-lion-and-the-lamb-musical
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays
Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays
Return to PLAYS III: Collections
Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances
Return to South African Festivals and Competitions
Return to The ESAT Entries
