A Young Vic and Isango Ensemble Production co-produced by The Royal Opera, Répons Foundation, BAM and Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg.
A Man of Good Hope at the Young Vic ©Keith Pattison
The Royal Opera presents A Man of Good Hope for the first time in the Linbury Theatre. A Man of Good Hope is based on the book of the same name by Jonny Steinberg, which tells the true story of a young refugee’s journey through Africa. Directed by Mark Dornford-May, Artistic Director of the award-winning South African theatre company Isango Ensemble, A Man of Good Hope received its world premiere in March 2016 in Cape Town. The Royal Opera and the Young Vic collaborated for the first time with a new stage adaptation which received its UK premiere at the Young Vic in October 2016 and is now seen for the first time in the Linbury Theatre.
Asad Abdullahi is eight years old when his mother is murdered in front of him. He flees war-torn Mogadishu and journeys through Africa in search of a better life, eventually finding his way to the outskirts of Johannesburg – but his troubles don’t stop there.
Isango re-creates Asad’s journey through a colourful score drawn from music of different African traditions; its cast of artists, from different stages in their careers, tell Asad’s moving story of unfailing hope in the face of incredible odds.
The conductor is Mandisi Dyantyis, musical direction is by Mandisi Dyantyis and Paulina Malefane, movement is by Lungelo Ngamlana and lighting design is by Mannie Manim, relit by Chloe Kenward. The work is largely through-composed, and the music features marimbas and singing from a 23-strong ensemble. Isango Ensemble is made up of both classically trained and untrained singers from the townships surrounding Cape Town.
South African company Isango Ensemble, based in Cape Town, was founded in 2000 by Mark Dornford-May and Paulina Malefane. Their productions have toured the world, winning numerous awards. Past collaborations with Young Vic and its former artistic director David Lan include The Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo), which won an Olivier Award and transferred to the West End, and Christmas Carol (Ikrismas Kherol) which won a Theatregoers Choice Award.
Isango Ensemble alternates performances of A Man of Good Hope with
SS Mendi: Dancing the Death Drill.
A Man of Good Hope opens at the Royal Opera House on 16 April 2019. (#ROHmanofgoodhope)
Comic Relief funding supports Isango to continue their extraordinary success as a grassroots ensemble from the Townships of South Africa achieving international acclaim, and to share their powerful performances with new audiences around the world.
16, 17, 20, 25, 27, 29 April 2019 at 7.45pm, 1, 3 May 2019 at 7.45pm
4 May 2019 at 2.30pm
Tickets available from the Royal Opera House website and Box Office
(+44 (0)20 7304 4000)
Credits
Director Mark Dornford-May
Musical Directors Mandisi Dyantyis and Paulina Malefane
Movement Lungelo Ngamlana
Lighting designer Mannie Manim
Revival lighting designer Chloe Kenward
Producer Claire Béjanin
Production Manager John Page
Company Stage Manager Maris Sharp
Cast
Noluthando Boqwana English teacher
Thobile Dyasi Abdi/Yindy’s father
Mandisi Dyantyis Conductor/Jonny
Nombongo Fatyi Old woman
Zamile Gantana Rooda/Old Sam
Siphosethu Hintsho / Asad as a boy/Musharaf
Zoleka Mphotsha
Nontsusa Louw Death
Paulina Malefane Yindy/Sadicya
Zimkhitha Mathomane Orange seller
Zanele Mbatha Asad’s mother
Nolubabalo Mdayi Foosiya’s friend
Sinethemba Mdena Madoda
Masixole Mgugenyeka Wedding guest
Thandolwethu Mzembe Asad as a young man
Siyanda Ncobo Yindy’s mother
Nonkululeko Nkwinti Kaafi’s wife
Sonwabo Ntshata Kaafi
Melikhaya Ntshuntshe Tube/Desk Clerk
Cikizwa Rolomana Foosiya
Masakane Sotayisi Assistant shopkeeper
Ayanda Tikolo Asad as a man
Insight Evening
Tuesday 23 April at 7.30pm
Linbury Theatre
Join members of the award-winning South African theatre company Isango Ensemble as they talk about their work and their debut at the Royal Opera House.
