THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL KAT AND THE KINGS EXTENDS AT THE FUGARD FOR THE 5TH TIME

Kat and the Kings, the smash hit all-South African musical created by David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen, has been extended for the 5th time at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town!

The Fugard Theatre revival of Kat & the Kings opened in May last year, playing to sold out houses for four months and receiving rave reviews. The constant demand for tickets meant no less than three extensions before the show moved to Johannesburg in September for a successful season at Pieter Toerien’s Theatre at Montecasino. Public demand in Cape Town persisted and the production, directed by Kramer, returned home to the Fugard Theatre in late November 2012, once again playing to capacity attendance.

The Fugard Theatre General Manager, Daniel Galloway, said, “We are very proud of our production of this Kramer and Petersen classic which, in years gone by, has played to audiences around the world. For visitors to the Mother City, it is a chance to catch a quintessential Cape Town production”.

Kat & the Kings is set In Cape Town’s District Six in the late 1950s and explores the journey of teenager Kat Diamond and the a cappella group he forms, The Cavalla Kings. Veteran actor Danny Butler, who recently celebrated his 1000th performance in the production since he took the role as Old Kat Diamond in 1995, reprises his role as the Old Kat. Dean Balie is the Young Kat Diamond, Grant Peres plays Bingo, Zak Toerien is Magoo, Carlo Daniels is Ballie and Amy Trout plays the part of Lucy.The superb live onstage band directed by Don-Veno Prins will have you dancing in the isles. Alistair Izobell and Loukmaan Adams, who are responsible for the vocal direction and choreography respectively, were involved in the West End and Broadway production. The set design is by Saul Radomsky and lighting design by Daniel Galloway.

After touring South Africa in 1996, the original production of Kat & the Kings played at the Tricycle Theatre in London 1998 and thereafter transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. In 1999 the production won two prestigious Olivier Awards – the Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the entire cast won the award for Best Actor in a Musical – a first for a South African production. The musical then transferred to Broadway where it was nominated for a Tony, a Drama League and 3 Drama Desk Awards. Kat & the Kings is produced by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre and is directed by David Kramer who has dedicated this production of Kat & the Kings to the late Taliep Petersen.

Kat and the Kings is essential holiday viewing for the entire family and makes for a great night out at the beautiful Fugard Theatre in the heart of District Six. The show has been extended until 9 March 2013 with tickets from R90 to R160 through Computicket or 08619158000 and via the Fugard box office on 021 461 4554.  Friends of the Fugard discounts are available thought the box office and a family of four special is available over the weekends. Patrons can also enjoy unrivaled views of the City and the mountain from the rooftop terrace bar when the weather plays along on gorgeous summer evenings.

What the media have had to say –  Jo’burg’s The Citizen called it “the Kat’s Whiskers” and described it as “…pure, undistilled joy flowing from the stage into the theatre!” The Business Day said it is “in a league of its own”. The Star newspaper called the company “Kings of Song and Hope” and described the Musical as “…fresh, slick and polished… poignant, upbeat and laced with wit!” The Star Tonight simply proclaimed “Kings Conquer the Stage!” Business Day (Christina Kennedy) said “Kat and the Kings is a ‘Modern Day South African Classic’, a feel-good, bop-till-you-drop musical blast…. in a league of its own”