For the first time ever David Kramer and Cape Town Opera will collaborate on the production of “Orpheus McAdoo” at the Artscape Theatre in October 2024.
“Orpheus McAdoo” is an adaptation of the highly sought-after “Orpheus in Africa”, which premiered in Cape Town back in 2015. The show is directed by Kramer, who will debut some new music, alongside some classics, with vocals from the cast and Cape Town Opera members. Expect the likes of House Soloists, Conroy Scott as Orpheus, and Fleur du Cap winner, Brittany Smith as Mattie. The rest of the cast includes Jody Abrahams (Egbert Washburn), Dean Balie (Ernest Logan), Alexis Petersen (Lucy Moten), Elton Landrew (Curtis), Eldon van der Merwe (Richard McAdoo) and Natalie Robbie (Lady Loch).
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In an official press release, Kramer said: “I’m looking forward to working with the combination of opera singers and musical performers to partly conjure up this era. It is my hope that audiences will experience what the Virginia Jubilee Singers might have sounded like in concert in those days. This choir made a tremendous impact and the story of Orpheus and his wife Mattie and their struggle with minstrelsy in the 1890s provides for an entertaining and eye-opening evening at the theatre”.
WATCH the trailer of “Orpheus in Africa”:
The plot of Orpheus McAdoo
The musical tells the story of Orpheus, an African-American choir leader who travelled to South Africa in the 1890s. At the invitation of Lady Loch, wife of the High Commissioner, Orpheus and his group, The Virginia Jubilee Concert Company, performed in the country. Their distinctive singing style, unlike anything South Africa had heard before, instantly made them a sensation and they went on to tour the country for 2 more years.
Information about David Kramer’s production of Orpheus McAdoo
Date: 18 October to 4 November 2024
Time: 3pm
Venue: Artscape Theatre
Ticket price: R200 to R520
Get your tickets at Webtickets or Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 0214217695. Discounts are available for groups, students and pensioners.
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Feature image: Gallo Images / Jaco Marais
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