Call for applications: King Kong's leading lady

The late singer Miriam Makeba played the role of Joyce when King Kong was first staged in 1959. The musical also featured Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim as well as late musicians Kippie Moeketsi and Thandi Klaasen.

Set during the apartheid era, the jazz-influenced musical portrays the life and times of heavyweight boxer Ezekiel Dlamini, whose self-appointed ring name was ‘King Kong’. The producers are asking interested candidates to send a full-body, self-taped video (smartphone quality acceptable) of them singing ‘Back of the Moon’ in one of two keys.

The guide music and score can be downloaded here. The video and a short CV, no longer that one page, should be sent via email to auditions@thefugard.com.  

Fugard Theatre executive director Daniel Galloway, who is also co-producing King Kong with Eric Abraham, spoke about the appearance of the character. “Joyce is the feisty, flirtatious, beautiful shebeen queen of Back of the Moon, who knows how to work the room with her patrons,” Galloway said. “Her songs include the legendary ‘Back of the Moon’ and ‘Quickly in Love’, which have become popular South African favourites, captured with Ms Makeba’s unique voice on the original cast recording."

Golloway said the role required someone who is extremely talented. “We are now looking for our very own star to play the role of Joyce in our 2017 production of King Kong, which has its premiere at the Fugard on 2 August. We are looking for someone who has a powerhouse voice, sensational stage presence, compelling acting talent and that extra special star quality. If you fit the bill, can dance, play late 20s to mid-30s and are a soprano to high F5, get in touch, this is the role of a lifetime,” he said.

The production will feature an all-South African cast and will be directed by Jonathan Munby.

The original King Kong toured South Africa and was seen by more than 200 000 South Africans before showing in London’s West End for a 200-performance run. The original production featured music by Todd Matshikiza, lyrics by Pat Williams and a book by Harry Bloom.

Centering on the life of the late Ezekiel Dlamini (1921-1957), King Kong is a tragedy that narrates the boxer’s rise to stardom and eventual downfall as a violent drunkard. The beginning of Dlamini’s final demise began when he killed his girlfriend out of jealousy. He faced trial and asked for the death penalty to serve as a warning to others. His petition was turned down by the judge who later sentenced him to 14 years of hard labour. Three months later, King Kong was found drowned in a dam on the prison farm he was incarcerated. At 36 years old, King Kong had apparently taken destiny into his own hands and, inadvertently, become a legend.

King Kong the Musical will run from 25 July to 2 September at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town before transferring to the Joburg Theatre from 12 September to 8 October.

For more information, visit the King Kong official website. Bookings can be made through Computicket or at any Shoprite Checkers store. You can alternatively call Christine Skinner on +27 (0) 82 855 7277 or email her on christinemskinner@gmail.com.