{"id":102044,"date":"2017-09-28T14:47:38","date_gmt":"2017-09-28T12:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/king-kong-legendary-south-african-musical-returns-to-a-fragmented-country-the-conversation\/"},"modified":"2017-09-28T14:47:38","modified_gmt":"2017-09-28T12:47:38","slug":"king-kong-legendary-south-african-musical-returns-to-a-fragmented-country-the-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/king-kong-legendary-south-african-musical-returns-to-a-fragmented-country-the-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"King Kong: legendary South African musical returns to a fragmented country | The Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"

King Kong: legendary South African musical returns to a fragmented country<\/a>: <\/p>\n

Andile Gumbi beats down his opponent Given Mkhize in the King Kong musical.<\/span> John Hogg<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After an absence of over half a century, the courageous musical \u201cKing Kong\u201d has smashed its way back into the collective South African consciousness. On tour in South Africa, \u201cKing Kong\u201d is one of the most successful and controversial musicals ever to have been produced in the country.<\/p>\n

Back in 1959 the jazz musical toured the country\u2019s major cities to, at times, sold out venues. It was seen by roughly 200,000 people before moving to London\u2019s West End. Set to music of composer Todd Matshikiza, it launched the international careers of musical greats, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, among many others.<\/p>\n

The narrative, which does not involve any giant apes (as in the film with the same name), follows the life story of 1950s heavyweight boxer Ezekiel Dlamini, who was better known by his ring name \u201cKing Kong\u201d. Briefly stated, Dlamini becomes something of a township hero in the darkening days of apartheid by rising to boxing superstardom. <\/p>\n

The story follows the highs and lows of his life, his fall from grace, and eventual suicide in a hard labour camp. Presenting the harsh realities of life in South Africa\u2019s townships, gangsterism and the belligerent indifference of the apartheid state, the production quickly rose to notoriety. It was a collaborative effort that ignored the racial boundaries so vehemently enforced by the apartheid government. It also drew critical acclaim from multiracial audiences.<\/p>\n

Kong in the era of Fallism<\/h2>\n

The timing of this latest production is interesting. Aside from a failed revival attempt in 1979, \u201cKing Kong\u201d has been absent for almost 60 years. The musical was originally performed within the historical backdrop of the construction of so-called \u201cgrand apartheid\u201d under then prime minister Hendrik Verwoerd. <\/p>\n

The 1950s saw a flurry of legislative activity on the part of the apartheid government, affecting everything from education to land, labour and love. The decade also saw 156 people, including Nelson Mandela, put on trial in 1956 and charged with High Treason for their alleged actions against the state. The proceedings, which culminated in charges being dropped in 1961, would become engraved into South Africa\u2019s history and known simply as \u201cThe Treason Trial\u201d.<\/p>\n