Christine Skinner
David Kramer’s award-winning musical Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie returns to Cape Town for a limited run at The Blik.
Charting the fascinating international success story of South African folk-singer Josef Marais and his wife Rosa de Miranda, the production premiered at the 2023 KKNK to rapturous responses and great acclaim.
It will be performed at The Blik for matinee performances from 27 July until 11 August with performances on Saturdays and Sundays only, except for an additional performance on the public holiday Friday 9 August.
Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie was awarded the kykNET Fiësta Award for Beste Musiekgedrewe Produksie / Best Musical Production; the Kanna toekenning/Award for Beste Musiekaanbieding / Best Music Production 2023 as well as the Kanna toekenning / Award for Beste Ensemble 2023.
The musical has excitingly also been expanded for its first full run at The Blik. Performed in English and Afrikaans, the production will now also be presented featuring English surtitles.
Brought to life by a stellar cast, the production features Dean Balie (Nêrens Noordkaap; Kat and the Kings), as Koos Heuningbek, Rushney Ferguson (Kelders Van Geheime; Arendsvlei) as Kittie Jaftha, Jenny Stead (The Promise on Stage; The Rocky Horror Show) as Rosa de Miranda and Andre Terblanche (André Terblanché in Konsert; Die Boland Moorde) as Josef Marais.
There will also be a wonderful live band on stage, featuring musicians Kerryn Torrance (violin), Yvan Potts (keyboard) and Nick Turner (acoustic guitar & cajon).
1952. Doris Day and Frankie Laine have an international hit with the song "Sugarbush," which is purportedly written by Josef Marais. In the 1950s, Josef and his wife Rosa rode the wave of their success in America as a folk singing duo. Known as Marais and Miranda they became known for singing Afrikaans songs translated into English by Josef. Their records were played on radio stations across America, and they worked with Burt Lancaster and Humphrey Bogart in Hollywood. However, back in the Boland, Kittie Jaftha doesn't celebrate their success. She feels betrayed and believes these songs don't belong to Marais and Miranda. She knows that Josef heard these songs from Koos Heuningbek, who works on his father's farm.
“Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie is inspired by a true story that few South Africans are aware of,” says David Kramer. “It opens a window into the world of Josef and Rosa Marais. Their story is a hugely entertaining journey, with a variety of song styles and original musical tunes. Our performers are exceptional in bringing this story to life.”
“Some songs have been expanded and tweaked for this run, offering a new experience. Additional scenes and songs have also been added to illustrate Marais and Miranda’s rise to fame. I am excited about bringing this new production to The Blik, a technically sophisticated theatre, which allows me to explore the sound and lighting that is not possible under festival conditions.”
Responses to the production include:
"Ver in die wêreld Kittie is ’n musiekspel met aangrypende musiek en ’n storie wat sy gehoor oorrompel". - Laetitia Pople, Die Burger
"You will never listen to Suikerbossie again in the same frame of mind.” - Marianne Thamm, Daily Maverick
"Daar is nie ’n vals noot of ’n skeeftrap in die produksie nie." - Marchelle van Zyl, Die Krit
‘a beautifully crafted nugget of South African music history…Rushney Ferguson as Kittie brings in an achingly elegiac, nuanced portrait… Dean Balie is extraordinary as Koos….Jenny Stead is magic as Rosa…. André Terblanché is phenomenal…It is a piece of theatre with a heart and soul.” - Robyn Cohen, The Cape Robyn
“A real masterpiece musical theatre production" - Ismail Mahomed, Director at Centre for Creative Arts, University KZN
Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie will be performed at The Blik:
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 July @ 14:00 & 16:30 Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 August @ 14:00 & 16:30 Friday 9 August @ 14:00. (Public holiday) Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 August @14:00 & 16:30
Tickets cost R230
Tickets for Seniors cost R200
Booking 10+ seats 10% discount
Book at WEBTICKETS
Presented by Blik Productions;
Written, composed and directed by David Kramer;
Lighting Design by Ben du Plessis;
Costume Co-ordination by Widaad Albertus;
Projection Design by Julian Davids
The Blik is located at 110 Gunners Circle, Epping.
For directions visit https://theblik.co.za/#find-die-blik
Visit The Blik Café for refreshments before the show.
For more information about The Blik visit http://theblik.co.za