Difference between revisions of "Bo Jungle"
| (5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | A musical by [[Bertha Egnos]] (1913-2003), with music by [[George Hayden]]. | |
| + | == The original text == | ||
| + | |||
| + | The show premiered in May 1959 at the [[Empire Theatre]], Johannesburg, produced by [[Bertha Egnos|Egnos]] in association with [[African Theatres]]. Besides the programmes, a sound recording was made of the live show and published by Gallotone. | ||
| − | + | The musical opened in the same year as the internationally successful all-black South African musical ''[[King Kong]]'', but despite the superficial similarities in title, poster and so on, the musical is something completely different. According to John Ferreira's useful discussion of the recording of the show[https://soulsafari.wordpress.com/2010/07/15/bo-jungle-1959-sa-musical-by-bertha-egnos/], it was an all white musical focused on South African life, with a musical score mostly based on the English of [[variety]] and [[vaudeville]] tradition, using bel-canto vocal numbers versions of contemporary Western music (cha cha, calypso and even rock 'n roll, with the odd kwela tune thrown in for the local colour), rather than the popular (black) South African music of the time. | |
| − | Return to [[ | + | Though the production was not a huge commercial success on the scale of ''[[King Kong]]'', it nevertheless played for a while in Johannesburg and was apparently well received. This success would lead to the opportunity to co-write the music for ''[[Dingaka]]'' the "all African musical", staged at the ''[[Brooke Theatre]]'' in October 1961. |
| + | |||
| + | == Sources == | ||
| + | |||
| + | John Ferreira. 2010. "''Bo Jungle'' - 1959 SA musical by [[Bertha Egnos]]", ''Soul Safari. Musical Treasures from Africa''[https://soulsafari.wordpress.com/2010/07/15/bo-jungle-1959-sa-musical-by-bertha-egnos/]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Percy Tucker]], 1997; p. 124. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Go to the [[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|South African Festivals and Competitions]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | ||
Return to [[Main Page]] | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
Revision as of 06:39, 24 May 2015
A musical by Bertha Egnos (1913-2003), with music by George Hayden.
The original text
The show premiered in May 1959 at the Empire Theatre, Johannesburg, produced by Egnos in association with African Theatres. Besides the programmes, a sound recording was made of the live show and published by Gallotone.
The musical opened in the same year as the internationally successful all-black South African musical King Kong, but despite the superficial similarities in title, poster and so on, the musical is something completely different. According to John Ferreira's useful discussion of the recording of the show[1], it was an all white musical focused on South African life, with a musical score mostly based on the English of variety and vaudeville tradition, using bel-canto vocal numbers versions of contemporary Western music (cha cha, calypso and even rock 'n roll, with the odd kwela tune thrown in for the local colour), rather than the popular (black) South African music of the time.
Though the production was not a huge commercial success on the scale of King Kong, it nevertheless played for a while in Johannesburg and was apparently well received. This success would lead to the opportunity to co-write the music for Dingaka the "all African musical", staged at the Brooke Theatre in October 1961.
Sources
John Ferreira. 2010. "Bo Jungle - 1959 SA musical by Bertha Egnos", Soul Safari. Musical Treasures from Africa[2].
Percy Tucker, 1997; p. 124.
Go to the 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
Return to Main Page
