Porgy and Bess spins heads in London

STAR ACT: Xolela Sixaba as Porgy and Nonhlanhla Yende as Bess, in Cape Town Operas Porgy and Bess production, on stage in London since last month. Photo: John Snelling

Bhekimpilo Dungeni

CAPE TOWN Opera is soaring high in London, with its Porgy and Bess production receiving rave reviews from critics.

After touring the world for almost four years, the production reached the London stage last month.

The Guardian’s Stephen Pritchard wrote: “Today, South Africa still has a long way to go to reach the Promised Land so fervently sought by the anti-apartheid movement, but Cape Town Opera is a fine example of what can be achieved when you finally give talent the chance to flourish.”

He added that although it’s a bit “headspinning at first”, it does make you listen again to the score and discover fresh approaches to vocal writing.

The London Evening Standard’s Nick Kimberley wrote: “What lifts the show, though, is the energy that surges off the stage like the Act Two hurricane.

“In part that’s a matter of sheer volume – the cast and chorus seem numberless – but Sibonakaliso Ndaba’s choreography, a blend of Broadway, Hollywood and township, also lifts the spirit.”

The cast includes Xolela Sixaba as Porgy and Nonhlanhla Yende as Bess.

After returning from the tour in London yesterday, production director Christine Crouse said the experience was like “rocketing to the moon”.

“Apart from being an amazing achievement for all of us, it has made us proud as a team and company, and the shows have been phenomenal. It would be wonderful if South Africans start to appreciate opera as premium art, too, so that they can go out there and plough it overseas for the rest to see.”

Since the opening of their seven-week tour of the UK, which will see it go through six different venues, Porgy and Bess has been staged in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Canterbury and Southampton. Its final appearances will be at the Coliseum until Saturday.

According to Cape Town Opera marketing manager Lesley Liddle, South Africans can see Porgy and Bess at Artscape on September 29 and October 4 and 6.

bhekimpilo.dungeni@inl.coza