Multiple Award-Winning Star Desmond Dube Joins Cast Of Fugard's Acclaimed KING KONG

Multiple award-winning actor and popular TV and film star Desmond Dube joins the cast of the Fugard Theatre's hit production of the iconic South African musical KING KONG. From 2 January 2018, Dube steps into the central role of Pop in the show, which is currently playing at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town until 18 February 2018.

Presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, this production of the historic musical KING KONG has received rapturous responses, with BroadwayWorld's David Fick describing the show as " a handsomely mounted production that honours the spirit of this legendary South African musical" in his review of the debut season earlier this year.

Dube joins the cast fresh from the success of an international tour and Johannesburg run of The Market Theatre's production of THE SUITCASE, adapted and directed by James Ngcobo from the short story by Es'kia Mphahlele. Audiences last saw Dube on the Fugard stage in Mongiwekhaya's I SEE YOU, which was a co-production of The Market Theatre in Johannesburg and the Royal Court in London in association with the Fugard Theatre. For this role, he won the Naledi Theatre Award for Best Actor and was nominated for a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award in the same category. Dube's many other awards include a Naledi Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor for NONGOGO, an FNB Vita Award for Supporting Actor for SCRIBBLE and an Avanti Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for JOBURG BLUES.

A much-loved actor and presenter on TV and film, Dube needs no introduction to South African audiences. His work includes an incredible seven series of DUBE ON MONDAYS, NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY, SUBURBAN BLISS and DUBE RELOADED. On the big screen, he has performed in films such as HOTEL RWANDA, LOVE & BROKEN BONES, THE LONG RUN, MILLENIUM MENANCE, HOPEVILLE and MANDELA'S GUN. He is also well-known on television as the face of Clientele Insurance. His extensive list of theatre credits include ROBIN HOOD AND THE BABES IN THE WOOD, JULIUS CAESAR, STREET SISTERS, SURVIVAL and PROTEST.

Daniel Galloway, the Executive Director of the Fugard Theatre, comments on Dube's casting in KING KONG:

We are delighted to welcome Desmond Dube back to the Fugard Theatre stage, where he last captivated audiences in his award-winning performance in I SEE YOU, It is a limited season to catch this incredible star on our stage.

KING KONG tells the story of heavyweight fifties boxing champion Ezekiel Dlamini whose self-appointed ring name was "King Kong". Sporting the wildly exhilarating music of Todd Matshikiza, the original production featured music by Todd Matshikiza, lyrics and original book by Pat Williams and book by Harry Bloom. A revised book and additional lyrics have been penned for this new production of the show by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright William Nicholson, with additional music and arrangements provided by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.

Dube joins Andile Gumbi as King Kong and Edith Plaatjies as shebeen queen Joyce. The cast also includes Ntambo Rapatla as Miriam, Josslynn Hlenti as Petal, Sanda Shandu as Lucky, Tshamano Sebe as Jack and Sabelo Radebe as Caswell. Performing with the ensemble are Joel Zuma, JT Medupe, Athenkosi Mfamela, Shalom Zamisa, Sibusiso Mxosana, Aphiwe Menziwa, Namisa Mdlalose, Siphiwe Nkabinde, Lungelwa Mdekazi, Barileng Malebye, Rushney Ferguson, Given Mkhize, Siyasanga Papu, Ziyanda Yako, Masego Mothibakgomo and Jabulani Gambu.

The Fugard Theatre's KING KONG is directed by Jonathan Munby who was at the helm of the Fugard Theatre's A HUMAN BEING DIED THAT NIGHT with Noma Dumezweni, the only double Olivier award-winning Southern African actor, amongst many other international productions including the recent production of William Shakespeare's KING LEAR for the Chichester Festival in the United Kingdom, starring Sir Ian McKellen. The associate director is Mdu Kweyama.

Musical direction for KING KONG is by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Sipumzo Trueman Lucwaba, with a live nine-piece band under Lucwaba's baton at every performance. South African star choreographer and recent French Legion D'Honneur recipient Gregory Maqoma has choreographed the production, with Paul Wills handing the set design, Birrie le Roux the costume design, Tim Mitchell the lighting Design and Mark Malherbe the sound design.

KING KONG runs at the Fugard Theatre until 18 February 2018 on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 20:00 with matinees at 15:00 on Saturdays and 16:00 on Sundays. Tickets cost R130 - R280. Bookings can be made at Webtickets and through the Fugard Theatre Box office on 021 461 4554. The Harrington Street car park is located at the corner of Caledon and Harrington streets and is available for the use of theatre patrons, who are invited to visit the cosy ground-floor bar, which opens two hours before all scheduled show times and stays open until last rounds are called. If the weather is fine, the bar on the fantastic rooftop terrace, with its panoramic views of the city, is opened. Both bars offer a range of wines from some of the Cape's top estates.

KING KONG has been nominated for thirteen BroadwayWorld South Africa Awards, namely Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, Best Director of a Musical, Best Lighting Design, Best Musical Direction, Best Performer in a Featured Role in a Musical (Lerato Mvelase and Ntambo Rapatla), Best Performer in a Leading Role in a Musical (Andile Gumbi, Nondumiso Tembe and Sne Dladla), Best Revival of a Musical, Best Scenic Design and Best Sound Design. Vote for your theatre picks of the year, submitted by BroadwayWorld readers, before the voting period closes on 31 December.

To post a comment, you must register and login.