View source for Manana the Jazz Prophet

''[[Manana the Jazz Prophet]]'' is a musical play by [[Gibson Kente]] (1932-2004). 

Fashioned around virtuoso performance numbers, it was written and first performed by Kente's company in 1963. 

==The original text==

The play was based on the influences of religious entertainment. It was about a man who felt that he could draw children away from the streets into the church by giving services that would entertain them.

==Performance history in South Africa==

1961-1963: First performed in the city of Johannesburg and went on a tour of the townships. Produced by [[Ian Bernhardt]]. The cast included [[Letta Mbulu]] and [[Caiphus Semenya]].

==Sources==

[[Andile Xaba]]. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis.

'The return of Kente'. ''[[Mail and Guardian]]''. 10 January 1997

[[Sam Mathe]]. 'Gibson Kente: Overdue yet timeous tribute'. ''[[The Star]]''. 15 December 2017.

Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 M|M]]

Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Plays|South African Theatre Plays]]

Return to [[Main Page]]