Todd Matshikiza

The history of South Africa's musical theater was inaugurated when the musical, An African Jazz Opera - King Kong, based on the tragic life of Black African boxer Ezekiel "King Kong" Dlamani, was premiered at the Great Hall of Witwatersrand University on February 2, 1959. Featuring the music of Todd Matshikiza and the lyrics of Pat Williams, the musical was a phenomenal success. With the members of the Manhattan Brothers and Miriam Makeba starring in the lead roles, the show toured for two-and-a-half years, including a nine-month run in London. King Kong was subsequently revived in 1979 and 1999. Much of the musical's success was due to the power of Matshikiza's compositions. The score reflected a personal statement. As a former journalist for the black magazine Drum and news editor for The Golden City Post, Matshikiza had covered Dlamani's trial for treason in the mid-'50s. His music incorporated his experiences during the trial and his views of apartheid. According to The Daily Mail & Guardian, "Matshikiza understood his central character, and, more importantly, understood the whole world that surrounded 'King Kong'. He understood the whole black world of the townships that fed Johannesburg and the histories of the people who filled those townships."
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