ORPHEUS IN AFRICA Hits Home Stretch at Fugard Theatre; Must Close 9 January

There are only 13 performances left of David Kramer's newest musical, ORPHEUS IN AFRICA, currently playing at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town. Having enjoyed a return season since September following its world premiere earlier this year, ORPHEUS IN AFRICA must close on 9 January 2016.

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. McAdoo was a free-born son of a slave as well as a graduate from The Hampton Institute in Virginia, and 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 - or Jubilee songs - to jazz and includes several original songs by David Kramer.

Brought to the stage by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, ORPHEUS IN AFRICA is festive family entertainment for the holiday season. Devised and directed by David Kramer, the show offers an opportunity to step into the Victorian era and experience the powerful singing style of the Virginia Jubilee Concert Company as the cast recreates well known classics such as "Roll Jordan Roll", "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", "Hush" and 'Deliver Daniel", and perform the original songs David Kramer has specially written for the production.

The stellar company comprises of Aubrey Poo (RENT, DREAMGIRLS) as Orpheus McAdoo; Lynelle Kenned (WEST SIDE STORY, BLOOD BROTHERS), as Orpheus's fiancé, Mattie Allen; Jill Levenberg (BLOOD BROTHERS, NANCY); Jessica Sole (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SHREK); Dean Balie (KAT AND THE KINGS, BLOOD BROTHERS); Sne Dladla (FERGUS OF GALLOWAY, THE JOKE'S ON YOU); 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); and Jarrad Ricketts (BOY BAND MANIA, THE STANDARDS).

A superb creative team has collaborated on the physical production of ORPHEUS IN AFRICA, including set designer, Saul Radomsky; costume designer, Birrie le Roux; musical director and arranger, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder; and lighting designers Daniel Galloway and Benjamin du Plessis.

Tickets for ORPHEUS IN AFRICA range from R110 (with a slightly restricted view) to R220 and are available through the Fugard Theatre's box office on 021 461 4554 or via Computicket. The Fugard Theatre continues to offer excellent discounts for block bookings, school groups and charities. Please contact Lamees Albertus on 021 461 4554 for more details and information on these packages.

ORPEHUS IN AFRICA has been nominated in seven categories in the 2015 BroadwayWorld South Africa Regional Awards, which honour productions that opened in South Africa between October 2014 and September 2015. The nominations - for Best Costume Design (Birrie le Roux), Best Director of a Musical (David Kramer), Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Aubrey Poo), Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Lynelle Kenned), Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (Gideon Lombard) and Best Technical Design - Lighting & Sound (Daniel Galloway, Benjamin du Plessis and Mark Malherbe) and Best Musical - were reader-submitted and public voting for the winners runs through December 31. Click here to cast your votes.

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