Kat and the Kings
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Introduction to "Kat and the Kings"
"Kat and the Kings" premiered in London’s West End at the Vaudeville Theatre on April 23, 1998, following a successful debut at the Tricycle Theatre in 1997. With a book and lyrics by David Kramer and music by Taliep Petersen, this South African musical ran for over 300 performances, closing in early 1999. Set in 1950s Cape Town, it follows Kat Diamond and his a cappella group, the Cavalla Kings. Directed by Kramer, the show starred Salie Daniels as the elder Kat and Jody Abrahams as young Kat, winning the 1999 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical and Best Actor in a Musical for its entire cast a rare feat. Its infectious doo-wop energy and apartheid-era backdrop made it a standout hit.
The Creative Team Behind the Show
David Kramer and Taliep Petersen, South African theatre legends, crafted the musical, with Kramer directing and Petersen co-producing. Kramer’s book and lyrics paired with Petersen’s melodies drew from Salie Daniels’ real-life memories as a 1950s performer. Choreography by Loukmaan Adams and Jody Abrahams earned an Olivier nomination, while Saul Radomsky’s sets and Gavin Norris’ lighting evoked District Six’s vibrancy. The cast including Adams (Bingo), Junaid Booysen (Ballie), Alistair Izobell (Magoo), and Mandisa Bardill (Lucy) brought authenticity and dynamism, their collective Olivier win reflecting their seamless harmony and star power.
A Doo-Wop Dream in District Six
In 1957 Cape Town’s multi-racial District Six, 17-year-old Kat Diamond forms the Cavalla Kings with friends Bingo, Ballie, Magoo, and Lucy, dreaming of fame through American-inspired doo-wop and rock ‘n’ roll. Narrated by an older Kat, the story tracks their rise from street corners to “whites-only” clubs entering via back doors due to apartheid to a recording deal and a Durban gig at the Claridges Hotel, where they double as bellboys. Success crumbles when District Six is razed for a whites-only zone, scattering the group. Songs like "Cavalla Kings," "Lucky Day," and "Wild Time" blend joy with the sting of racial injustice, ending in a bittersweet reflection on lost dreams.
Performance and Reception
Opening after its Tricycle triumph, "Kat and the Kings" dazzled the West End with its “exuberant” cast and “catchy” score, per The Sunday Times, running over 300 performances a strong showing for a new musical. The Daily Mail called it “sheer bliss,” and its dual Olivier wins for Best Musical and Best Actor thrilled critics and fans alike. Recorded live on June 6, 1998, for a First Night Records album, it captured the cast’s vitality. Some found its apartheid critique subtle, but its feel-good vibe and stellar performances like Daniels’ poignant narration won hearts, drawing diverse crowds and cementing its status as a joyous hit.
Legacy in West End Theatre
"Kat and the Kings" broke ground as a South African export, its 1998 run and Olivier sweep spotlighting global voices in the West End. After London, it hit Broadway in 1999 for 157 performances, earning Drama Desk nods, and toured Europe Frankfurt, Hamburg, Vienna spreading its reach. A 2003 Tricycle return and 2012 Fugard Theatre revival in Cape Town kept it alive, with the 1998 cast recording a cherished keepsake. Unlike long-runners like "Les Misérables," its cultural snapshot and doo-wop flair endure as a unique West End milestone, celebrating resilience amid adversity with toe-tapping soul.