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| − | [[King Kong]] is the name of a character in a film, but also the name given to a number of plays, musicals and lms. | + | [[King Kong]] is the name of a character in a film, but also the name given to a number of plays, musicals and films. |
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| | [[King Kong]] (originally simply "Kong") is the name given to the colossal gorilla, a character created by filmmaker Merian C. Cooper and scriptwriter [[Edgar Wallace]] (1875–1932) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Wallace] for the sensational 1933 RKO film by the same name. | | [[King Kong]] (originally simply "Kong") is the name given to the colossal gorilla, a character created by filmmaker Merian C. Cooper and scriptwriter [[Edgar Wallace]] (1875–1932) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Wallace] for the sensational 1933 RKO film by the same name. |
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| − | The film went on to become an influential cinematic legend, with the character firmly established as one of the world's most famous movie icons, and both the character and the theme (of a ravaging huge monster) inspiring countless sequels, remakes, spin-offs, imitators, parodies, cartoons, books, comics, video games, theme park rides, and even a number of stage plays. His role in the different narratives varies, ranging from a rampaging monster to a tragic antihero.
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| − | (See "King Kong" in [[Wikipedia]] at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong.)
| + | == International adaptations == |
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| − | In South Africa there have been two '''stage plays''' by this name.
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| − | (1) ''[[King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera]]'' (1959) | + | The film went on to become an influential cinematic legend, with the character firmly established as one of the world's most famous movie icons, and both the character and the theme (of a ravaging huge monster) inspiring countless sequels, remakes, spin-offs, imitators, parodies, cartoons, books, comics, video games, theme park rides, and even a number of stage plays. His role in the different narratives varies, ranging from a rampaging monster to a tragic antihero. |
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| − | (2) ''[[King Kong]]'' by [[Aldo Brincat]] (2001) | + | (See "King Kong" in [[Wikipedia]] at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong.) |
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| | In 2013 a new musical called ''[[King Kong]]'', based on the film story, opened in Australia. (see "King Kong (2013 musical)" in Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong_%282013_musical%29) | | In 2013 a new musical called ''[[King Kong]]'', based on the film story, opened in Australia. (see "King Kong (2013 musical)" in Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong_%282013_musical%29) |
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| − | = ''King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera'' (1959) = | + | == South African stage versions == |
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| − | ''[[King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera]]'' (1959) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong_%28musical%29] is a South African jazz musical, with music by [[Todd Matshikiza]], book by [[Harry Bloom]] and lyrics by [[Todd Matshikiza|Matshikiza]] and [[Pat Willams]].
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| − | Also known as ''[[King Kong - An All-African Jazz Opera]]'', ''[[King Kong – An African Jazz Opera]]'' and ''[[King Kong]]''.
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| − | == The original text ==
| + | In South Africa there have been two '''stage plays''' by this name. |
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| − | A musical about the rise and fall of heavyweight boxer [[Ezekiel Dhlamini]], nicknamed "King Kong". musical by [[Harry Bloom]] (book), [[Pat Williams]] (lyrics) and [[Todd Mitshikiza]] (Nguni lyrics and music). Originally written in 1957, and finally performed in 1959.
| + | (1) ''[[King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera]]'' by [[Todd Matshikiza]], [[Harry Bloom]] and [[Pat Willams]](1959) |
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| − | The production was to become one of the key theatrical events in the development of South African theatre, and has had its share of controversy. On the one hand it was seen as, and almost certainly was, an exploitation of black talent by white entrepreneurs, and a presented a white-washed European version of black community life. On the other hand it gave many performers access to professional theatre, launched the careers and made stars of many performers, some of them in the international arena (e.g. [[Miriam Makeba]] and [[Hugh Masekela]]), and it contributed powerfully to the development of the so-called “[[township musical]]” tradition utilized by [[Gibson Kente]], [[Sam Manghwane]] and others, and even the eventual '''style and form''' of so-called “[[black theatre]]” and “[[protest theatre]]”.
| + | '''See ''[[King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera]]''''' |
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| − | ''[[King Kong]]'' was unsuccessfully revived in the 1980s, while an attempt to revive it again in 2001 at the [[Spier Festival]] in Stellenbosch floundered on copyright and other issues. | |
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| − | The text was published by [[Collins]] in 1961 as ''[[King Kong – An African Jazz Opera]]''. [[Mona Glasser]] wrote a book about the making of the play called ''King Kong. A Venture in the Theatre'' (Cape Town: [[Norman Howell]], 1960).
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| − | == Performance history in South Africa ==
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| − | 1959: First performed, under the title ''[[King Kong: A Jazz Opera]]'', by the [[Union of South African Artists]] and the African Medical Scholarship Trust Fund in the [[Wits Great Hall]] and in the [[Durban City Hall]]. Directed by [[Leon Gluckman]], with [[Nathan Mdledle]] (King Kong), [[Miriam Makeba]] (Joyce), [[Joseph Mogotsi]] (Lucky), [[Stephen Moloi]] (Jack), [[Helen Gama]] (Miriam), [[Dan Poho]] (Popcorn), [[Ruth Nkonyeni]] (Petal), [[James Thompson]] (Slim), [[Rufus Khoza]] (Harry), [[Ronnie Majola]] (Joe), [[Boy Ngweya]] (Gangster 1), [[Jerry Tsagane]] (Gangster 2), [[Bennett Masango]] (Sgt. Dhlamini), [[Gwigwi Mrwebi]] (Kuswayo), [[Phyllis Mqomo]] (Pauline), [[Desiree Mkele]] (Lena), [[Esme Raborethi]] (Trufina), [[Victor Ndlazelwane]] (Journalist), [[Abigail Kubeka]] (Joyce's Girl 1), [[Hazel Futa]] (Joyce's Girl 2), [[Suzan Gabashane]] (Joyce's Girl 3), [[Fats Peterson]] (Ma Ngidi), [[Lefty Maruping]] (Caswell) and [[Ken Gampu]] (Preacher/Jordan). Decor and costumes by [[Arthur Goldreich]], musical direction by [[Stanley Glasser]] and choreography by [[Arnold Dover]]. The orchestra of 14 musicians included [[Hugh Masekela]] on trumpet. The facilitators of the production were [[Clive Menell|Clive]] and [[Irene Menell]] and the publicist was [[Mona Glasser]]. The [[Anglo-American Corporation]] was a major sponsor of the production.
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| − | 1960: The same production was staged by [[Union Artists]], with some changes to the casting: [[Peggy Phango]] (Joyce), [[Patience Gcwabe]] (Miriam), [[Ben Masinga]] (Popcorn), [[Sophie Mgcina]] (Petal), [[Aaron Modise]] (Slim), [[Jerry Tsagane]] (Gangster 1), [[Ernest Mohlomi]] (Gangster 2), [[Tandi Kumalo]] (Lena), [[Louisa Emmanuel]] (Trufina), Mabel Mafuya (Mabel), [[Alton Kumalo]] (Journalist), Victor Ndlazelwane (Photographer), [[Vena Bendile]] (Joyce's Girl 3), [[Martha Mdenge]] (Ma Ngidi), [[Wanda Makhubu]] (Caswell) and [[Tommy Wilson Buson]] (Preacher/Jordan). This production toured the country, and later also went to London.
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| − | 198*: Produced by ***
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| − | == Sources ==
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| − | ''Wikipedia'': '''King Kong (musical)''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong_%28musical%29]
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| − | ''Wikipedia'': '''King Kong''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong]
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| − | [[Union of South African Artists]] theatre programme, 1959.
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| − | [[Union Artists]] theatre programme, 1960.
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| − | [[Percy Tucker]] 1997.
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| − | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
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| − | = ''[[King Kong]]'' by [[Aldo Brincat]]=
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| − | [[King Kong]] is a play written and produced by [[Aldo Brincat]], a slapstick spoof on the movie of the same name.
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| − | == Performances in South Africa ==
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| | + | (2) ''[[King Kong]]'' by [[Aldo Brincat]] (2001) |
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| − | Performed by Brincat in Durban in 2001.
| + | A slapstick spoof on the movie of the same name, written and produced by [[Aldo Brincat]] in Durban, 2001 |
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King Kong is the name of a character in a film, but also the name given to a number of plays, musicals and films.
King Kong (originally simply "Kong") is the name given to the colossal gorilla, a character created by filmmaker Merian C. Cooper and scriptwriter Edgar Wallace (1875–1932) [1] for the sensational 1933 RKO film by the same name.
International adaptations
The film went on to become an influential cinematic legend, with the character firmly established as one of the world's most famous movie icons, and both the character and the theme (of a ravaging huge monster) inspiring countless sequels, remakes, spin-offs, imitators, parodies, cartoons, books, comics, video games, theme park rides, and even a number of stage plays. His role in the different narratives varies, ranging from a rampaging monster to a tragic antihero.
(See "King Kong" in Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong.)
In 2013 a new musical called King Kong, based on the film story, opened in Australia. (see "King Kong (2013 musical)" in Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong_%282013_musical%29)
South African stage versions
In South Africa there have been two stage plays by this name.
(1) King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera by Todd Matshikiza, Harry Bloom and Pat Willams(1959)
See King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera
(2) King Kong by Aldo Brincat (2001)
A slapstick spoof on the movie of the same name, written and produced by Aldo Brincat in Durban, 2001
Sources
Return to
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays
Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays
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Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances
Return to South African Festivals and Competitions
Return to The ESAT Entries
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