SA's The Color Purple to stage in Shanghai

The Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay’s production, managed by director Janice Honeyman, will deliver the first experience of the musical in China.

Executive producer Bernard Jay said: “I am so proud of the achievement of each and every member of this production. They deserve this further acknowledgement of success and will be flying the flag for Joburg Theatre, for the City of Joburg and for South Africa as a country by taking their talents internationally with this glorious musical.”

Shanghai Culture Square deputy general manager Richard Fei also shared his excitement: “The Color Purple is deeply moving. I am thrilled to present this production in Shanghai.

"When I saw this American story in 2018 at Joburg Theatre, I was transported across a different space and time, hearing mankind from all over the world calling out through this show.”

The saucer-shaped theatre is a major player in China’s stage scene. After its reopening in 2011, the 1 800-seat theatre has hosted a number of prominent shows including Broadway and West End titles and niche musicals such as Titanic and Notre-Dame de Paris.

The venue also strives to cultivate and build an artistic stage for the development of musical theatre and to lead the Chinese cultural and leisure industry.

The Color Purple is based on the 1983 Pulitzer Prize-winning epistolary novel written by Alice Walker, and the 1985 Warner Bros and Amblin Entertainment motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg.

It is reported that there are ongoing negotiations for the South African company to perform in other regions in China as well as in South Korea, Australia, France and Germany in 2020-21.

Meanwhile, South African audiences will again have the opportunity to see the production in its bon voyage season at Joburg Theatre from 2 to 12 April.

Tickets can be purchased via the Joburg Theatre official website.