London's Young Vic presents the world premiere of Mandela,
a new musical inspired by the life of anti-apartheid activist Nelson
Mandela, beginning November 30.
With music and lyrics by Greg Dean Borowsky and Shaun Borowsky and a book by Laiona Michelle, Mandela will officially open December 8. The run will continue through February 4, 2023, with streaming performances available January 19-23.
Go inside the rehearsal room with director Schele Williams and stars Michael Luwoye (Hamilton), Danielle Fiamanya (Frozen), and more above.
The musical finds Mandela as a young activist in 1960, rallying the people of South Africa to fight back against the racial segregation of apartheid before being put in jail for nearly three decades. The Lion King alum Bongi Duma has supplied additional music and lyrics.
Luwoye and Fiamanya star as Nelson and Winnie Mandela, respectively, alongside Gregory Armand as Vusi, Zion Battles as Bongani, Earl Carpenter as the Prime Minister, Stewart Clarke as the Warden, Hanna Dimtsu as Nomsa, Lerato Gwebu as Adelaide Tambo/Evelyn Mase, Prudence Jezile as Praise Singer, Akmed Junior Khemalai as Walter Sisulu, Blue Makwana as Gugu, Kayleigh McKnight as Susan/Erika, Posi Morakinyo as Thembi Mandela, Sneziey Msomi as Albertina Sisulu/Maki Mandela, Nomfusi Ngonyama as Zeni Mandela, Ryan O’Donnell as Joe Slovo, Adam Pearce as Kobus, Bolthale Phora as Kgatho Mandela, Shiv Rabheru as Ahmed Kathrada, Will Richardson as Piet, Leanne Robinson as Zindzi Mandela, and Ntsikelelo Nicholas Vani as Oliver Tambo.
The new musical also has choreography by Gregory Maqoma, set design by Oscar winner Hannah Beachler, costume designs by Fay Fullerton, lighting design by Tony and Olivier winner Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Gatehouse, projection and video design by Akhila Krishnan, orchestration by Sam Young, musical supervision by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, musical direction by Sean Mayes, and casting by Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher.
Mandela is co-produced by special arrangement with Nandi Mandela, Luvuyo Madasa, Shaun Hurwitz, Ronen Zekry, Greg Dean Borowsky, Shaun Borowsky, and Brian and Dayna Lee.
Visit YoungVic.org.
