Orpheus in Africa

Orpheus in Africa, the Fugard Theatre production of David Kramer’s brand new musical, returned to the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town last week and we returned to Cape Town to see it!

We just could not make it to Cape Town for its world premiere sold-out and limited season at the Fugard Theatre earlier this year. And unfortunately Orpheus in Africa never made it onto Joburg as I had hoped.

In fact, I had totally given up on being able to experience a real piece of original South African musical theater while living in Africa. Everything we had seen in the theater so far in South Africa had been a drama -  like The Zulu, Hinterland and The Shadow of the Hummingbird. So I was thrilled when I read in the newspaper that Orpheus was returning to Cape Town for another limited run in September. A reprieve! I immediately bought tickets - front row center - for the first weekend of its run at the Fugard.

the curtain from our seats in the front row center!

Orpheus in Africa is based on the little known true story of Orpheus McAdoo and the Virginia Jubilee Singers’ tour of Queen Victoria’s colonies in the last decade of the 19th Century. Orpheus McAdoo was a free born son of a slave and a graduate from The Hampton Institute in Virginia. He was the first African American impresario to perform in the British colony of South Africa where he and his group achieved unprecedented success. At the same time the musical charts the evolution of African American music from spirituals (Jubilee songs) to jazz and ragtime.

David Kramer welcoming the sold-out audience

Orpheus in Africa was an opportunity to step back into the Victorian era and experience the powerful singing style of the Virginia Jubilee Concert Company as they recreated well known classics such as "Roll Jordan Roll", "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", "Hush" and 'Deliver Daniel." Alongside early spiritual and jazz standards, the musical narrative was also moved along with several original songs by David Kramer.

David Kramer is one of South Africa's most successful creators of musicals. He has won numerous awards in South Africa and abroad including the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in London for Kat and the Kings in 1999.

"McAdoo Jubilee Singer to Entertain!" curtain

Virtually the entire original South African company returned to reprise their characters including Aubrey Poo as Orpheus McAdoo and Lynelle Kenned as Orpheus’s fiancé, Mattie Allen. They were excellent as was the entire cast.

And I just read this weekend that the limited run has been extended into January so don't miss your chance to see it too! Alleluia!