Orpheus in Africa
Lynelle Kenned joins David Kramer on the couch to talk about 'Orpheus in Africa'
Orpheus in Africa, David Kramer’s brand new musical, is now playing at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town. Its world premiere limited season was sold out earlier this year. We learn more about this stellar production along with David Kramer and female lead Lynelle Kenned.
The play is based on the little known story of Orpheus McAdoo and the Virginia Jubilee Singers’ tour of Queen Victoria’s colonies in the last decade of the 19th Century.
Orpheus McAdoo was a free born son of a slave and a graduate from The Hampton Institute in Virginia. He was the first African American impresario to perform in the British colony of South Africa where he and his group achieved unprecedented success. At the same time the musical charts the evolution of African American music from spirituals to jazz and includes several original songs by David Kramer.
Official website: The Fugard Theatre
Orpheus in Africa is based on the little known story of Orpheus McAdoo and the Virginia Jubilee Singers’ tour of Queen Victoria’s colonies in the last decade of the 19th Century.
Orpheus McAdoo was a free born son of a slave and a graduate from The Hampton Institute in Virginia. He was the first African American impresario to perform in the British colony of South Africa where he and his group achieved unprecedented success. At the same time the musical charts the evolution of African American music from spirituals (Jubilee songs) to jazz and includes several original songs by David Kramer.
