Soweto Theatre to pay tribute to The Manhattan Brothers

Titled ‘The Manhattan Brothers Tribute’, the show will start from 8 to 18 December with performances from Tuesday to Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.   

The Manhattan Brothers were extremely popular in South Africa in the 1940’s and 1950’s during the apartheid era. Their sound drew on American ragtime, jive, swing, doo-wop, and several other jazz strains, as well as African choral and Zulu harmonies.

Members of the group include the late founding member and lead singer Nathan “Dambuza” Mdledle, Joe Mogotsi, Ronnie Sehume and Rufus Khoza.  Mariam Makeba, who went on to international fame, started her career with The Manhattan Brothers and was part of the group for much of the 1950s. The group has one US Billboard pop chart hit, “Lovely Lies” which peaked at No 45 in March 1956.

In 1959, the quartet joined the company of King Kong, the first black South African musical. When the production reached England, the band decided to remain there. The Manhattan Brothers recorded three English/Zulu pop albums before calling it a day in 1965.

Mmatema Moremi, a singer, songwriter and actress, who rose to fame in 2015 as the runner up on the 11th season of South African Idols, will portray the role of Miriam Makeba. She recently made history as the first artist to host a one-woman show titled “Mmatema Moremi’s One Woman Show” at the South African State Theatre’s Opera Theatre.

The tribute show will celebrate the group’s ‘Lovely Lies’.

Mmatema will be accompanying Complete, a local acapella group that will portray The Manhattan Brothers; Mluleki Chuma, Bubele Mgele, Bonginkosi Motha and Happy Motha.  Complete is an acapella g quartet that has a harmonic identity. Their four sweet and soulful voices can sing a variety of genres, ranging from gospel, to soul, traditional African music, classical and Afro-pop. They have worked with a variety of South African artists including Hugh Masekela, Themba Mkhize and the SWR Big Band from Germany. Their musical theatre performances include: The Rehearsal, Songs of Migrations and The Suit Case.

A live band will accompany the show, with musical direction from Johan Mthethwa.

Well-known Idols SA judge and media personality, Somizi Mhlongo, will join the creative team of The Manhattan Brothers Tribute as choreographer, from 8 to 18 December. Somizi has been in the entertainment industry for almost 30 years.  He’s a respected choreographer who has worked with the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, R. Kelly, Shakira, to name but a few.

In a statement, Artistic Manager of Joburg City Theatres and director of the show Makhaola Ndebele said, “Audiences can look forward to beautiful music and a nostalgic trip down memory lane.”  

All tickets are R80 and are available on the Soweto Theatre website or calling by calling the organisers on +27861 670 670, as well as through Webtickets.  For group bookings of 10 or more, please contact the theatre directly on +2711 930 7461/2/3.