ORPHEUS IN AFRICA to Run Through Summer Holiday Season at Fugard Theatre

David Kramer's ORPHEUS IN AFRICA, an original South African musical, will run through the summer holiday season at the Fugard Theatre. This Eric Abraham and Fugard Theatre production brings to life the little known story of Orpheus McAdoo, the free born son of a slave, a graduate from The Hampton Institute in Virginia, USA. McAdoo was the first African American impresario to perform in the Cape of Good Hope in the late 1890s, where he achieved unprecedented success for himself and his Virginia Jubilee Singers.

ORPHEUS IN AFRICA includes original songs by David Kramer alongside well-known classics such as "Roll Jordan Roll", "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", "Hush" and "Deliver Daniel", charting the introduction of African American spirituals and ragtime to the colonies of Queen Victoria. The show gives audiences an opportunity to step into the elegant Victorian era and experience the powerful singing style of the Virginia Jubilee Concert Company.

The production showcases the exceptional talent of stage, TV and film star Aubrey Poo as Orpheus, alongside the sensational Lynelle Kenned (as Mattie Allen), who recently wowed local audiences as Maria in the Fugard Theatre's WEST SIDE STORY at Artscape. Fleur du Cap award-winning Dean Balie (in multiple roles), who found fame as the principal in two Kramer musicals, KAT AND THE KINGS and BLOOD BROTHERS delights alongside funny man Sne Dladla (THE JOKE'S ON YOU, FERGUS OF GALLOWAY), also a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winner this year. Jill Levenberg (BLOOD BROTHERS, NANCY) plays the role of choir mistress Lucy Moten, which has garnered her critical acclaim. In other roles audiences can see Jessica Sole (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ANNIE), Sanda Shandu (PRESENTER SEARCH ON 3), Bianca Flanders (BLOOD BROTHERS, DIG), Edith Plaatjies (SLICK SWING, BLOOD BROTHERS), Graham Bourne (SHOW BOAT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR), Katlego Moncho (DESTINATION... LERATO, WAITING FOR THE RAIN), Natasha Hess (WEST SIDE STORY), Carlo Daniels (KAT AND THE KINGS, BLOOD BROTHERS), Robin Pieters (VOCAL MANIA, KAAPSE MUSIEK IN COLOUR 2), Jarrad Ricketts (BOY BAND MANIA, THE STANDARDS) and Adrian Galley (THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, CABARET).

ORPHEUS IN AFRICA, written and directed by David Kramer, with musical direction and arrangements by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, set design by Saul Radomsky, costume design by Birrie Le Roux and lighting design by Daniel Galloway and Ben du Plessis plays nightly at 8pm during the week and on Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm, until 9 January 2016.

Safe, secure parking is available diagonally opposite the theatre and, should the weather play along, the rooftop cocktail bar with its spectacular views of Table Mountain and the City is open before and after every performance. The Fugard bar offers delicious pre and post show snacks in the welcoming atmosphere for which the Fugard Theatre is so well known.

Tickets are available through the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or via Computicket and the newly released seasonal special of four tickets for R400 is available when booking through the theatre box office.