David Kramer’s award-winning musical Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie returns to Cape Town for a limited run at The Blik, from 27 July until 11 August 2024.
Charting the fascinating international success story of South African folk-singer Josef Marais and his wife Rosa de Miranda, the production premiered at the 2023 KKNK to great acclaim.
Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie was awarded the kykNET Fiësta Award for Beste Musiekgedrewe Produksie / Best Musical Production; the Kanna toekenning/Award for Beste Musiekaanbieding / Best Music Production 2023 as well as the Kanna toekenning / Award for Beste Ensemble 2023.
The story
1952. Doris Day and Frankie Laine have an international hit with the song Sugarbush, which is purportedly written by Josef Marais. In the 1950s, Josef and his wife Rosa rode the wave of their success in America as a folk singing duo. Known as Marais and Miranda they became known for singing Afrikaans songs translated into English by Josef. Their records were played on radio stations across America, and they worked with Burt Lancaster and Humphrey Bogart in Hollywood.
However, back in the Boland, Kittie Jaftha doesn’t celebrate their success. She feels betrayed and believes these songs don’t belong to Marais and Miranda. She knows that Josef heard these songs from Koos Heuningbek, who works on his father’s farm.
“Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie is inspired by a true story that few South Africans are aware of,” says Kramer. “It opens a window into the world of Josef and Rosa Marais. Their story is a hugely entertaining journey, with a variety of song styles and original musical tunes. Our performers are exceptional in bringing this story to life.”
The production
“Some songs have been expanded and tweaked for this run, offering a new experience. Additional scenes and songs have also been added to illustrate Marais and Miranda’s rise to fame. I am excited about bringing this new production to The Blik, a technically sophisticated theatre, which allows me to explore the sound and lighting that is not possible under festival conditions,” says Kramer.
Performed in English and Afrikaans, the production will now also be presented featuring English surtitles.
Brought to life by a stellar cast, the production features Dean Balie (Nêrens Noordkaap; Kat and the Kings), as Koos Heuningbek, Rushney Ferguson (Kelders Van Geheime; Arendsvlei) as Kittie Jaftha, Jenny Stead (The Promise on Stage; The Rocky Horror Show) as Rosa de Miranda and Andre Terblanche (André Terblanché in Konsert; Die Boland Moorde) as Josef Marais.
There will also be a live band on stage, featuring musicians Kerryn Torrance (violin), Yvan Potts (keyboard) and Nick Turner (acoustic guitar and cajon).
What: Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie
Where and when: Die Blik, 110 Gunners Circle, Epping from 27 July until 11 August 2024
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
