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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]][https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong] is the name of an iconic 20th century character (in film and other media), and also the name given to a number of plays, musicals and films since 1933. |
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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.)
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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)
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| − | (2) ''[[King Kong]]'' by [[Aldo Brincat]] (2001)
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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)
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| | + | = The original text = |
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| − | = ''King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera'' (1959) =
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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]].
| + | [[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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| | + | = Adaptations = |
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| − | == The original text ==
| + | 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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| − | 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).
| + | In 1959 a musical called ''[[King Kong]]'' opened in Johannesburg, South Africa - though ''not'' based on the [[Edgar Wallace]] character. (See ''[[King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera]]'' below.) |
| − | A production for [[Union Artists]], it had the [[Anglo-American Corporation]] as a major sponsor. Written in (?*)1957, first performed in the [[Wits Great Hall]] in 1959.
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| − | The production starred trumpeter [[Hugh Masekela]], [[Nathan Mdledle]] in the lead role, band vocalist [[Miriam Makeba]], [[Joe Mogotsi]] and [[Peggy Phango]]. Toured the country, playing in **, **, ** and other venues. One of the key theatrical events in the development of South African theatre, it 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”. 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. Text published by [[Collins]] in 1961 as '''''King Kong – An African Jazz Opera'''''. A version of the text by *** first published [[Fontana Books]] 1961, a second version by *** published by *** in 19**. There is also a book about the show by [[Mona Glasser]] called [[King Kong. A Venture in the Theatre]] (Cape Town: [[Norman Howell]], 1960).
| + | In 2013 a musical called ''[[King Kong]]'', this time based on the film story, opened in Australia[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong_%282013_musical%29]. |
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| − | == Performance history in South Africa == | + | = South African stage versions = |
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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]] on 11 May. 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.
| + | In South Africa there have been two '''stage plays''' by this name. |
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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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| − | == Sources ==
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| − | ''Wikipedia'': '''King Kong (musical)''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong_%28musical%29] | + | == (1) ''[[King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera]]'' by [[Todd Matshikiza]], [[Harry Bloom]] and [[Pat Willams]](1959)== |
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| − | ''Wikipedia'': '''King Kong''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong] | + | '''See ''[[King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera]]''''' |
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| − | [[Union of South African Artists]] theatre programme, 1959.
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| − | [[Union Artists]] theatre programme, 1960. | + | == (2) ''[[King Kong]]'' by [[Aldo Brincat]] (2001) == |
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| − | [[Percy Tucker]] 1997.
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| − | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
| + | Called a "Physical Comedy", it is a one hour slapstick spoof on the movie of the same name, written and produced by [[Aldo Brincat]] in Durban, 2001 |
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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. | + | First performed in the [[Kwasuka Theatre]], Durban on 29 October to 24 November 2001 by [[Aldo Brincat]] and [[Michael Gritten]], directed by [[Peter Court]]. |
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| | + | ''[[King Kong]]'' won two Durban theatre awards at the time, one for best director the other for best actor (Michael Gritten). |
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| − | == Performances in South Africa == | + | = Sources = |
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| | + | "King Kong" in [[Wikipedia]] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong.) |
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| − | Performed by Brincat in Durban in 2001.
| + | http://www.brincatproductions.co.za/productions.htm |
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| − | == Sources ==
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| | + | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] |
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| | = Return to = | | = Return to = |
King Kong[1] is the name of an iconic 20th century character (in film and other media), and also the name given to a number of plays, musicals and films since 1933.
The original text
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) [2] for the sensational 1933 RKO film by the same name.
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.
In 1959 a musical called King Kong opened in Johannesburg, South Africa - though not based on the Edgar Wallace character. (See King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera below.)
In 2013 a musical called King Kong, this time based on the film story, opened in Australia[3].
South African stage versions
In South Africa there have been two stage plays by this name.
See King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera
Called a "Physical Comedy", it is a one hour slapstick spoof on the movie of the same name, written and produced by Aldo Brincat in Durban, 2001
First performed in the Kwasuka Theatre, Durban on 29 October to 24 November 2001 by Aldo Brincat and Michael Gritten, directed by Peter Court.
King Kong won two Durban theatre awards at the time, one for best director the other for best actor (Michael Gritten).
Sources
"King Kong" in Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong.)
http://www.brincatproductions.co.za/productions.htm
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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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
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