Overview
More than half a century since its first performance in 1959, The Fugard Theatre staged a new version production of this iconic and historical musical, receiving five-star reviews and rapturous audience responses. It was directed by British Director Jonatha Munby. King Kong premiered at The Fugard Theatre and in Gauteng at the Joburg Theatre. Its first performance in Cape Town was on 25 July 2017.
King Kong tells the story of heavyweight fifties boxing champion Ezekiel Dlamini whose self-appointed ring name was “King Kong”, to the wildly exhilarating music of Todd Matshikiza. The original production featured music by Todd Matshikiza, lyrics and original draft book by Pat Williams, and book by Harry Bloom. The revised book for the Fugard revival (with additional lyrics) was written by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright William Nicholson. South African choreographer star and French Legion D’Honneur recipient Gregory Maqoma choreographed King Kong to the irresistible original music of the late great South African composer Todd Matshikiza.
Details
First performance
25 July 2017
Final performance
4 March 2018
Venue
The Fugard Theatre
(25 July–2 September 2017)
(12 December 2017–4 March 2018)
Joburg Theatre
(12 September–8 October 2017)
Original Cast
King Kong
Andile Gumbi
Joyce
Nondumiso Tembe
Pop
Sne Dladla
Lucky
Sanda Shandu
Petal
Lerato Mvelase
Jack
Tshamano Sebe
Miriam
Ntambo Rapatla
Caswell, Slim, Lucky Cover
Sabelo Radebe
Harry, Journalist, Reverend, Pop Cover, Jack Cover
Joel Zuma
Leadpipe, Ensemble, King Kong Cover
Ben Kgosimore
Mad
Athenkosi Mfamela
Polo
Shalom Zamisa
Taki
Sibusiso Mxosana
Sibu, Mad Cover
Aphiwe Menziwa
Greb Mabisa, Sgt. Walter Ngolo, Ensemble, Harry Cover
Siphiwe Nkabinde
Female Ensemble
Namisa Mdlalose
Female Ensemble, Miriam’s Ma
Lungelwa Mdekazi
Female Ensemble, Petal Cover
Dolly Louw
Female Ensemble, Miriam Cover
Barileng Malebye
Female Ensemble, Joyce Cover
Edith Plaatjies
Male Onstage Swing,
Joe Khanyile
Given Mkhize
Female Onstage Swing, Dance Captain
Rushney Ferguson
Original Band
Band Leader/ Bass
Sipumzo Trueman Lucwaba
Drums
Lumanyano “Unity” Mzi
Keys
Blake Hellaby
Guitar
Byron Manfred Carr
Trumpet 1
Lwanda Gogwana
Trumpet 2
Joseph Kunnuji
Tenor Sax
Zeke le Grange
Alto Sax, Clarinet
William Hendricks
Trombone
Lee Roy Simpson
Creative team
Original Music
Todd Matshikiza
Lyrics and Original First Draft Book
Pat Williams
Original Book
Harry Bloom
Director
Jonathan Munby
Revised Book & Additional Lyrics
William Nicholson
Additional Music & Arrangements
Charl-Johan Lingenfelder
Choreography
Gregory Maqoma
Set Design
Paul Wills
Lighting Design
Tim Mitchell
Costume Design
Birrie le Roux
Musical Director
Charl-Johan Lingenfelder
Musical Director
Sipumzo Trueman Lucwaba
Associate Director
Mdu Kweyama
Sound Design
Mark Malherbe for Prosound
Fight Choreography
Richard Lothian
Resident Director, Company Manager
Shelley Adriaanzen
Associate Set Designer
Chris Pienaar Associate
Costume Designer
Widaad Albertus
Set Construction
Gerhard Morkel
Carl Gersbach for CHG Engineering
Scenic Painting
Eloise Milward for Scene Visual Productions
Costumier
Kobus O’Callaghan
Production team
Producer
Eric Abraham
Co-Producer
Daniel Galloway
Associate Producers
Lamees Albertus
Greg Karvellas,
Jack Sidey (London)
Production Manager
Roberto Grove
Technical Manager
Ben du Plessis
Stage Manager
Juanita van Wyk
Assistant Stage Manager
Ulibo Maake
Head of Wardrobe
Widaad Albertus
Dressers
Frances Moerdyk
Nazrine Geyer
Follow spot operators
Clynt Hlubi
Clarence Ceasar
Crew
Christopher Pharo
Achmat Khroodien
Angelo Peterson
Sound Systems Technician
David Classen
Sound Operator
Dominique Adams
Mic Technician, Sound Operator cover
Melissa George
Mic Technician
Charmian Thompson
Sound Supplier
Eastern Acoustics
Seamstresses
Aziza Aanhuizen
Beverley Avril Harris
Basson Moreni
Charles Beni
Hillette Stapelberg
Jasmine Julies
Reep Verloren van Themaat Ammadu
Emmanuel Kubalasa
Production Photography
Daniel Rutland Manners
Jesse Kate Kramer
Boxing Coach
Chris Mugisho
Publicity
Christine Skinner
Copy Editor
Louis Viljoen
Reviews
★★★★★
“King Kong is a knockout success”
City Press (Cape Town)
★★★★
“This triumphant production enchants and uplifts.”
Cape Argus
★★★★★
“King Kong enchants”
Die Burger
“King Kong is the dancing, singing, jazzplaying embodiment of South Africa’s rich heritage. Don’t miss it.”
City Press (Joburg)
“Collectively, the team have shaped it into a modern production that is still filled to the brim with jazzy beats and amazing songs, all brilliantly executed by an astonishingly talented cast and an exceptional nine-piece band.”
Theatre Scene Cape Town
“Beautifully staged, impeccably performed piece of work, bubbling with vitality and sparkling with talent”
Weekend Special
“Gregory Maqoma’s choreography is simply magnificent.”
Daily Maverick
“Undoubtedly one of the best experiences you’ll see on a South African stage this year.”
Stage and Screen
“Absolute genius. A joy to watch.”
Huffington Post
“Even better than the original King Kong.”
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Production photos
