Mandela Trilogy – a musical tribute to the extraordinary life of Nelson Mandela

Last edited: May 12, 2011

Posted by Business and Arts South Africa

From prisoner to President and from Nobel Laureate to revered statesman, Nelson Mandela is hailed across the globe as a treasured icon. The life of this great man who changed the course of South African history is a fascinating and inspiring tale, now told as an on stage cultural showpiece. Mandela Trilogy celebrates the vibrant variety of South African music while dramatising the defining moments that shaped Mandela’s life.

Mandela Trilogy is Cape Town Opera’s musical tribute to the extraordinary life of Nelson Mandela, written by Michael Williams with music by Allan Stephenson, Mike Campbell and Peter Louis van Dijk. The production begins its South African tour at the Sand du Plessis Theatre, Bloemfontein for two performances only on Friday, 22 July and Saturday, 23 July 2011 followed by four performances at the Playhouse, Durban from 29 July to 31 July 2011. Thereafter the show moves to the Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg for five performances from Saturday, 13 August 2011 to Friday, 19 August 2011. Tickets now on sale at Computicket.

Funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and presented by Cape Town Opera and Rand Merchant Bank in association with KayaFM, Mandela Trilogy is a major home-grown work featuring an entirely South African 40-member cast and multiple award winning South African singer and recording artist, Gloria Bosman in a leading role. Gloria Bosman started her singing career in her local church choir and went on to share the stage with many local stars such as Sibongile Khumalo, Victor Masondo, Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela. This All Africa KORA Award Winner is very proud to have had the pleasure of singing to former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki.

With the world’s eyes focused on South Africa in 2010, writer Michael Williams felt the time was right to create a large-scale stage work about the life of Nelson Mandela. Faced with subject matter so complex and significant to our nation, Williams settled on a multifaceted triptych structure, concentrating on three key periods in Madiba’s life, each composed in a different musical style.

Mandela Trilogy opens with an oratorio dramatising formative moments in Mandela’s early years in the Transkei, as composer Allan Stephenson weaves traditional Xhosa songs into a classical framework. Mandela as revolutionary is brought to life in Mike Campbell’s jazzy Sophiatown act, before Peter Louis van Dijk’s final act examines the Robben Island years and the final walk to freedom.

Enthusiastically received in Cape Town in 2010, a revised version of Mandela Trilogy, travels accompanied by the Voice of the Nation Ensemble and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Albert Horne to Johannesburg, Durban and Bloemfontein, in preparation of the piece’s international tour in 2012.

“A visual triumph … Cape Town Opera and Michael Williams need to be congratulated on their vision for creating a work of this magnitude and depth” CAPE ARGUS

“A rewarding experience … a performance where there is much rejoicing even in times of sadness and where pride and self-respect shine through some of the darkest moment’s in South Africa’s history” OPERA
Mandela Trilogy is enjoyable entertainment for the entire family with added educational benefits for students. Book at Computicket by calling 083 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or visit your nearest Computicket outlet.

SHOW INFORMATION:

1. BLOEMFONTEIN
VENUE: Sand du Plessis Theatre
DATES: Friday, 22 & Saturday, 23 July @ 19h30
PRICES: R100, R120 and R150

3. DURBAN
VENUE: Playhouse Theatre
DATES & TIMES: Friday, 29 and Saturday, 30 July@ 19h30 and Friday, 30 and Saturday, 31 July @ 14h00
PRICES: Evenings: R 100, R135, R 165
Matinees: R 85, R 120, R 150

4. JOHANNESBURG
VENUE: The Teatro at Montecasino
DATES & TIMES: Saturday 13, 17, 18, 19 @ 20h00 and Sunday, 14 Aug @15h00
PRICES: R150, R 200, R 250, R 300

BOOKINGS:
Computicket by calling 083 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or visit your nearest Computicket outlet