Following its acclaimed premiere in October 2024, Orpheus McAdoo returns to Artscape Theatre in October 2025. Written and directed by South African theatre legend David Kramer, this stirring musical celebrates the true story of Orpheus McAdoo and his Virginia Jubilee Singers, a choir of African-American performers who toured South Africa in the 1890s and took the Cape by storm.
At the centre of this moving production is Conroy Scott in the title role. A distinguished Cape Town Opera house soloist, Scott brings vocal gravitas and deep emotional resonance to the role of McAdoo, a visionary who faced the complexities of race, performance and identity while introducing South African audiences to American spirituals and jubilee singing for the first time. Scott is joined by CTO house soloist Brittany Smith as Mattie Allen and a cast that uniquely blends opera singers and stage actors, creating a musical texture that is both theatrically rich and vocally thrilling.
With its evocative mix of old spirituals, ragtime, early American folk and South African musical influences, Orpheus McAdoo gives audiences a sonic and emotional journey through a little-known but powerful chapter of Cape Town’s past. Kramer’s script and original compositions are layered with authenticity and compassion, weaving together true history with artistic imagination. The inclusion of traditional spirituals gives the show its beating heart.
Kurt Haupt joins as Musical Director for this second season, bringing fresh energy and nuance to the production’s choral and instrumental elements. The musical also features arrangements by Dawid Boverhoff, movement direction by Fiona du Plooy, striking set and costume design by Julian David and Maritha Visagie, and lighting by Kieran Cattel.
Stellar cast reprising their roles
The story follows McAdoo and his wife Mattie as they navigate love, ambition, cultural collision and the pressure of being Black performers in colonial-era South Africa. As their jubilee choir travels the country, they encounter fame, admiration and controversy. Kramer’s work sensitively explores the fine line between performance and identity and the price of respectability in a racially divided society.
Joining CTO’s extraordinary vocal talent is a stellar cast that will be reprising their roles, including Jody Abrahams (Arendsvlei, 7de Laan) as Egbert Washburn, Alexis Petersen (The Little Mermaid, Danger in the Dark) as Lucy Moten, Elton Landrew (Ellen: The Ellen Pakkie’s Story, Danger in the Dark) as M.B Curtis, Natalie Robbie (Noises Off, Spring Awakening) as Lady Loch/Rose and Eldon van der Merwe (Roem, Die Klaskamer) as Richard McAdoo. Zolani Shangase (The Lion King, We Will Rock You World Tour), joins this cast for the first time, as Ernest Logan. The production moves seamlessly between large-scale choral scenes and intimate human drama and those who love old spirituals, choral music and historical Cape Town will find much to enjoy in this feel-good story.
Kramer has created a show that is both celebratory and poignant. With Orpheus McAdoo, he brings to light a buried legacy that honours the voices that reshaped how South Africans heard and felt music.
What: Orpheus McAdoo
Where and when: Artscape from 21 October to 2 November 2025
Tickets: Webtickets or the Artscape Box Office on 021 421 7695
WS
