Overview
David Kramer and Taliep Petersen’s sensational South African musical Kat and the Kings opened at the Fugard Theatre on the 1st May 2012 to huge critical acclaim and then returned due to overwhelming popular demand to the Fugard Theatre in November 2012 after the initial 4-month sold-out season in Cape Town and a nine-week season in Jo’burg.
Set in the late-1950s, Kat Diamond believes he’s the best singer and dancer in District Six. With his friends Ballie, Magoo, Bingo, and Lucy, he forms the a cappella group the Cavalla Kings, and the quintet – emulating the American doo-wop and rock and roll they adore – becomes a sensation, graduating from street corners to “whites only” nightclubs and a recording contract.
Details
First performance
1 May 2012
Final performance
19 January 2013
Venue
The Fugard Theatre
(1 May–2 September 2012)
Montecasino Theatre
(20 September–18 November 2012)
The Fugard Theatre
(24 November 2012–19 January 2013)
Original Cast
Kat Diamond
Danny Butler
Young Kat Diamond
Dean Balie
Bingo
Grant Peres
Magoo
Zakariyah Toerien
Lucy Dixon
Amy Trout Ballie
Original Band
Saxophone
Donveno Prins
Trumpet
Darren English
Guitar
Nathan Carolus
Keyboards
Trevino Isaacs
Bass
Franco Manual
Drums
Keith De Bruyn
Creative team
Director
David Kramer
Set Design
Saul Radomsky
Lighting
Daniel Galloway
Band Leader
Donveno Prins
Choreography
Loukmaan Adams
Based On Original Choreography By
Jody Abrahams & Loukmaan Adams
Costume Coordinator
Illka Louw Based On Original Designs By Saul Radomsky & David Kramer
Vocal Coach
Alistair Izobell
Sound Design
Inspired by the Grateful Dead
Reviews
★★★★★
“Pure, undistilled joy”
The Citizen
★★★★★
“Kings conquer the stage!”
The Star Tonight
★★★★
“Onvergeetlik… Aansteeklike entoesiasme”
Die Burger
“Loud, slick, exuberant fun”
Sunday Times
“Feel-good, bop-till-you-drop musical…Modern South African classic”
Business Day
“A triumphant homecoming”
Theatre Scene Cape Town
“New cast do the show’s legacy proud”
City Press
“Glorious revival”
Artslink
Production photos
