Orpheus in Africa
Orpheus in Africa is a musical by David Kramer
Contents
The original text
Based on the little known story of Orpheus McAdoo and the Virginia Jubilee Singers’ tour of the British colonies in the 1890s, the play tells of the first African American impresario to perform in the British colony of South Africa and at the same time the musical charts the evolution of African American music from spirituals (Jubilee songs) to jazz and includes several original songs by David Kramer.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
2015: Produced by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre in February, it was directed by David Kramer with a cast that included Aubrey Poo as "Orpheus McAdoo", Lynelle Kenned, Jill Levenberg , Jessica Sole, Dean Balie, Sne Dladla, Sanda Shandu, Bianca Flanders, Edith Plaatjies, Graham Bourne, and Katlego Moncho. Set Design was by Saul Radomsky, Costume Design by Birrie le Roux Musical Direction and Arrangement by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Lighting Design by Daniel Galloway and Benjamin du Plessis.
2015: Performed at the Fugard Theatre once more from September 22 - January 2, 2016, with virtually the whole original company returning to reprise their characters. Also joining the cast were Carlo Daniels, Robin Pieters and Jarrad Ricketts.
Also returning are: 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).
Kramer and the Fugard Theatre are also delighted to announce that 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 company for this run.
