Difference between revisions of "Virginia Jubilee Singers"
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| − | + | The [[Virginia Jubilee Singers]] was an influential [[Jubilee|jubilee]] and [[Minstrels|minstrelsy]] group who visited South Africa in the 1890s under leadership of impresario [[Orpheus McAdoo]] (1858-1900). | |
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| + | The group was also known or referred to as the [[Virginia Concert Company]], the [[Virginia Jubilee Concert Company]], [[The Jubilee Singers]] or [[McAdoo’s Vaudeville Company]]. | ||
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| + | ==The company in South Africa== | ||
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| + | Their first South African connection came in Scotland where [[Orpheus McAdoo]] met Lady Loch, the wife of the then British Governor of the Cape, who invited them to Cape Town. | ||
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| + | They became an unlikely overnight sensation in the Cape and are credited by some with shaping the performance style adopted by Cape [[Coon Carnival]] tradition in later years. They also visited Port Elizabeth during their tours, where it is reported that the “clever company of [[minstrels]] and [[variety]] artistes” from [[McAdoo's Vaudeville Company]] gave a performance at the Port Elizabeth [[Opera House]] on January 11, 1898, for example. | ||
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| + | ==The legacy== | ||
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| + | In 2014 [[David Kramer]] wrote a musical based on this incident, calling it '''''[[Orpheus in Africa]]'''''. It was first produced by [[Eric Abraham]] and the [[Fugard Theatre]] in January 2015. '''(See ''[[Orpheus in Africa]]'' for information on the play)''', updating it in 2024 under the title '''''[[Orpheus McAdoo]]'''''. (See '''''[[Orpheus McAdoo]]''''' for information both on the [[impresario]] and on the play)''' | ||
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== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| + | [[Veit Erlmann]]. 1991. ''African Stars: Studies in Black South African Performance''. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. | ||
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| + | The [[Fugard Theatre]] Newsletter (newsletter@thefugard.com), Thursday 9 October 2014. | ||
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| + | http://www.thefugard.com/archive/item/david-kramer-s-orpheus-in-africa | ||
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| + | ''[[Die Burger]]'', 8 October 2024: p. 8. | ||
| − | + | https://www.artscape.co.za/cape-town-opera-to-present-david-kramers-orpheus-mcadoo-at-artscape-in-october-2024-a-first-time-collaboration/ | |
| + | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
== Return to == | == Return to == | ||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Films]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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|South African Festivals and Competitions]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Radio/Plays|South African Radio Plays and Serials]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Television/Plays|South African Television Plays and Series]] | ||
| − | Return to [[ | + | Return to [[South_African_Venues,_Companies,_Societies,_etc]] |
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | ||
Return to [[Main Page]] | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:24, 31 January 2025
The Virginia Jubilee Singers was an influential jubilee and minstrelsy group who visited South Africa in the 1890s under leadership of impresario Orpheus McAdoo (1858-1900).
The group was also known or referred to as the Virginia Concert Company, the Virginia Jubilee Concert Company, The Jubilee Singers or McAdoo’s Vaudeville Company.
The company in South Africa
Their first South African connection came in Scotland where Orpheus McAdoo met Lady Loch, the wife of the then British Governor of the Cape, who invited them to Cape Town.
They became an unlikely overnight sensation in the Cape and are credited by some with shaping the performance style adopted by Cape Coon Carnival tradition in later years. They also visited Port Elizabeth during their tours, where it is reported that the “clever company of minstrels and variety artistes” from McAdoo's Vaudeville Company gave a performance at the Port Elizabeth Opera House on January 11, 1898, for example.
The legacy
In 2014 David Kramer wrote a musical based on this incident, calling it Orpheus in Africa. It was first produced by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre in January 2015. (See Orpheus in Africa for information on the play), updating it in 2024 under the title Orpheus McAdoo. (See Orpheus McAdoo for information both on the impresario and on the play)
Sources
Veit Erlmann. 1991. African Stars: Studies in Black South African Performance. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
The Fugard Theatre Newsletter (newsletter@thefugard.com), Thursday 9 October 2014.
http://www.thefugard.com/archive/item/david-kramer-s-orpheus-in-africa
Die Burger, 8 October 2024: p. 8.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to South_African_Films
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
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 South African Radio Plays and Serials
Return to South African Television Plays and Series
Return to South_African_Venues,_Companies,_Societies,_etc
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
