Award-wining South African theatre icon David Kramer is set to unpack an intriguing story of the fascinating local folk singer Josef Marais and his wife Rosa de Miranda, in the musical, Ver in die Wêreld Kittie.
The production returns for a limited run at The Blik theatre in Epping.
To roaring applause and cheers from the audience, the production premiered at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) last year.
In true Kramer style, an exquisite taste of art is encapsulated in this musical production that is brought to life by a stellar cast.
The production features Dean Balie as Koos Heuningbek, Rushney Ferguson as Kittie Jaftha, Jenny Stead as Rosa de Miranda and Andre Terblanche as Josef Marais.
The storyline is set around the year 1952. Doris Day and Frankie Laine have an international hit with the song Sugarbush, which is purportedly written by Josef Marais. In the 1950s, Joseph and his wife Rosa rode the wave of their success in the US 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 the US 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.
Kramer, 73, from Boland, said the production is “inspired by a true story that few South Africans are aware of”.
“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.
“My wife's aunt, Lily Lange, first made me aware of Joseph Pessach who later became famous as Josef Marais. When he was a young man in the 1920s he courted her in Worcester. They had kept in touch after he left South Africa and she had newspaper clippings describing the success he achieved as a balladeer in the 1950s in America.
“Not many people in South Africa remember his name or are aware of his fame overseas. I thought his story would be an excellent subject for a musical.
“I was inspired to write the musical when I heard a recording of Doris Day and Frankie Laine singing Sugarbush I Love You So. This song is obviously the well-known Suikerbossie which Marais claimed as his own. The fact that he did this with many old Afrikaans folk songs intrigued me and I felt it was worth exploring.”
Kramer teases on what audiences can expect: “An intriguing story of how Marais and Miranda became household names in America by presenting English versions of old Afrikaans folk songs and the heartache of those he left behind.
“When Terblanche and Stead perform as Marais and Miranda the audience will feel as if they were at one of their concerts. Similarly when Balie appears as Johnnie Ray.
“The songs in Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie are a mix of well-known old folk songs and original Kramer material. Audiences will be transported by Kittie and the story she has to tell.”
For most it might seem that Kramer has been quiet on the arts front. “I've been polishing the Kittie libretto and preparing for the launch of this musical. Later in the year I'll be working with Cape Town Opera who are presenting another musical of mine called Orpheus McAdoo.”
Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie was awarded the kykNET Fiësta Award for Best Musical Production; the Kanna Award for Best Music Production 2023 as well as the Kanna Award for Best Ensemble 2023.
It will be performed at The Blik for matinees from July 27 until August 11 with performances on Saturdays and Sundays only, except for an additional performance on August 9, National Women's Day.
Tickets cost R230 via Webtickets.