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| Aubrey Lodewyk as Annas the Pharisee, Blessing Xaba as Caiaphas a Pharisee, & Bonakele Edward Lungu as Pharisee Eleazar |
"The music is a fair reflection of the vast variety of gospel styles that make up the South African genre. There are great choral numbers in an almost classical style, some in a mbaqanga style. There are duets, solos and a group of isicathamiya disciples. This is a true African Passion." says director Themi Venturas who also wrote the libretto.
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| Faca Kulu as Jesus |
Phelelani Mnomiya, known in the choral community as "SBP, is a lecturer in choral music studies at the University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal and is recognized as one of South Africa's pre-eminent chorale music composers. Gauteng audiences will remember his impressive Ziyankomo for Opera Africa.
Anthony Govender is a popular Durban based musician who, apart from his compositional work, also runs the Destiny Music Academy, which offers a wide range of services to amateur and professional musicians.
Carrying the family's cultural legacy to the next generation are the Young Mbazo - the children and Grandchildren of the world renowned Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Their hallmark isicathamiya style is heard to great dramatic effect when sung by the 12 apostles in The African Passion.
Themi Venturas has assembled a stellar cast to bring the music and drama of The African Passion to life. From celebrated Gospel singers, to internationally acclaimed opera singers, from doyennes of musical theatre to authentic exponents of ethnic music, Venturas has hand-picked an impressive cast who effortlessly traverse the full spectrum of styles demanded by The African Passion.
Playing the role of Jesus is Bongikhosi „Faca Kulu who spent time in the Broadway production of The Lion King in New York.
In the role of Mary, his mother, is Natalia da Rocha who makes a welcome return to the Joburg stage. Natalia‚s impressive career saw her as a pioneering cabaret artist at Club 58. Her double act with Sam Marais, „Coffee and Cream‰ was one of the most popular cabaret acts of its time. She went on to headline in a Sun City Extravaganza and in numerous large scale critically acclaimed productions across the country before settling in Cape Town in the late 90‚s. Her last appearance at the Joburg Theatre was in Des and Dawn Lindberg‚s Godspell in which she played Mary Magdalene. A significant wheel will come to a dramatic full-circle when she steps onto the stage of The Mandela as Mary the Mother in The African Passion.
Gospel star Sharon Dee fondly remembered for „Local is Lekker‰ and her performances with Joyous Celebration, brings her defining Gospel sound to the role of Mary Magdalene.
Opera trained baritone Aubrey Lodewyk, acclaimed for numerous operatic roles including the older Mandela in the recent Mandela Trilogy, plays Annas.
Popular tenor Dewald Von Solms, of the Black Tie Ensemble and the duo VonWest, takes on the emotionally challenging role of Pontius Pilate.
SPUD fans will be delighted to see Blessing Xaba („Fatty in the popular movie and sequel) revealing yet another side of his considerable talent in the role of Caiaphas.
For the Johannesburg and Soweto seasons, Venturas has secured the acclaimed University of Johannesburg Choir for the choral work.
The production is a visual treat with spectacular audio-visual backgrounds and stunning costumes designed by debutante designer Nompumelelo Mkhize.
For theatre and music lovers The African Passion has the epic choral splendor of a latter day Handel‚s Messiah and the contemporary relevance and bravery of Webber Rice‚s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.
The African Passion will touch hearts and lift spirits with its positive message of rebirth and hope! The African Passion celebrates „our African identity and should not be missed. (Latoya Newman- IOL)
This historic production from Catalina UnLtd is brought to the Nation with funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.
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