The internationally acclaimed production, King Cetshwayo – The Musical will be staged at Soweto Theatre from 03-13 March 2022; this will also be in celebration of Human Rights month. The Musical retells the epic story of the Zulu nation against the mighty British troops in 1879 at the Battle of Isandlwana. King Cetshwayo, which premiered in Wales in 2017 and had a successful run in 2018 at The Playhouse and State Theatre featuring, among others, South African popular actor Xolani Henema.
The musical is the brainchild of playwright, Jerry Pooe who wrote and directed it, with renowned Producers, Composers and Directors Mbuso Khoza and Sandile Mpungose as musical directors.
King Cetshwayo the Musical is the story of life and times of King Cetshwayo KaMpane who was the King of the Zulu kingdom 1873 to 1879 and its leader during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1979. The Musical highlights the events that led to the war, Isandlwana victory, banishment of the king, the visit of King Cetshwayo to the Queen of London and the celebration of the Zulus defeating the great mighty English soldiers.
The Wales newspaper said, “Beautiful in its dance scenes, fearsome in its warring, acute narration, comic in its mimicry of the gun-carrying redcoats. The skin-prickling returning price of the warriors in the audience. The poet, the costumes, the toe-tapping music, the beat and the heat, the show is a necessary see.”
Young people and learners are encouraged to witness this powerful and energetic musical as it is also a celebration of 143 years of the Zulu victory at the battle of Isandlwana. “School children will see Africans portrayed in a positive light as evidenced by the epic victory of King Cetshwayo’s regiments against Queen Victoria’s well-armed troops. It is important for them to know and understand the history of South Africans as narrated by South Africans themselves”, says Producer Jerry Pooe.
King Cetshwayo The Musical demonstrates how Pooe weaves together the lives of Zulu patriots like king Cetshwayo KaMpane, Ntshingwayo ka Mahole and Mehlokazulu ka Sihayo and professional British soldiers such as Anthony Dunrnford and Charlie Harford -the men who were at the heart of the savage and iconic Anglo-Zulu War. Pooe does this using mainly song and narrative, going beyond the narrow focus on the Battle of Isandlwana.
King Cetswayo The Musical is scheduled to run from 03 to 13 March 2022 at Soweto Theatre, ticket prices at only R150 and R100 for school groups.
