The Mysteries
In June 2001, this South African company’s production, THE MYSTERIES opened at Wilton’s Music Hall in London and within a day of the first reviews the show was sold out. Over the next twelve months the company became an international hit, touring festivals in Australia and America, as well as a sell-out run in the West End. Rarely in the world of theatre does a company appear to such instant and universal acclaim.
YIIMIMANGALISO THE MYSTERIES is a spectacular African version of the English Medieval Chester Mystery Plays. These timeless Biblical stories are brought to life through exhilarating songs, dance and heart-breaking drama. It is both passionate and uplifting. An altogether stunning piece of theatre that breaths fresh life into some of the greatest stories ever told.
“A SPECTACULAR PIECE OF THEATRE. It puts the world on stage and squeezes tears of sorrow, joy and laughter along the way.” TIME OUT
“MOVING, INVENTIVE, BEAUTIFUL. YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN.” DAILY TELEGRAPH
“It is impossible not to be swept away by this DRAMATIC DYNAMITE. Each story is a miracle of energy, invention and humour.” EVENING STANDARD
“THE MOST MAGNIFICENT AND MOVING EVENT OF THE YEAR” OBSERVER
Cast and creatives
CAST
THE COMPANY
SIYABULELA BEDE – Gabriel/John
LUNGELWA BLOU – Japhet’s Wife/Mary of Cleophas
NOLUTHANDO BOQWANA – Shemís Wife/Woman/Merchant
BONGANI BUBU – Abel/King/Andrew
HELEN BURGER – Isaac/Martha
BULELWA COSA – Angel/Midwife/Bartholomew
PORTIA DLADLA – Eve/Merchant
CAMILLA DRIVER – Woman/Angel
LUSINDISO DUBULA – Angel/Lazarus
PAULINE DU PLESSIS – Elizabeth/Angel
ZUKILE GQUADUSHE – Soldier
HERMAN HARDICK – Cain/Pilate
KURT HAUPT – Adam/Simon the Leper
STEVEN HICKS – Abraham/Judas
THEMBELA JAMES – Soldier/Shepherd
SANDILE KAMLE – Herod/Peter
ANDISWA KEDAMA – Midwife/Merchant
FIKILE KHUZWAYO – Midwife/James the Younger
ANDILE KOSI – King/Merchant
NJABULO MADLALA – Angel/Simon
NANDIE MAHLANGU – Midwife/Merchant
PAULINE MALEFANE – The Virgin Mary
AYANDA MAMVE – Shepherd/Lebbaeus
ISABEL MARTENS – Angel/Hamís Wife
ANDRIES MBALIvLucifer
GRACIOUS MBATHA – Angel/Woman/Merchant
BONGANI MBATO – Angel/Soldier
ZINTLE MGOLE – Midwife/Thaddius
MVUYISI ZUKOLUFIKILE MJALI – Shem/Soldier
SIBULELE MJALI – Angel/Ham/James
DIPUO VIRGINIA – MOGOREGI Angel/Woman
RUBY MTHETHWA – Noah’s Wife/Woman/Mary Magdalene
GWEBILE JIM NGXABAZE – Japhet/Caiphas
VUMILE NOMANYAMA – Deus/Jesus
MPONTSENG NYATSA – Woman/Woman
ZOLISWA QUMZA – Angel/Matthew
ZORRO SIDLOYI – Angel/Soldier
ANDRE STRIJDOM – Joseph/Thomas
ANDILE TSHONI – King/Soldier
SIBUSISO “OTTO” ZIQUBU – Noah/Annas
PRODUCTION
Director – MARK DORNFORD-MAY
Music Director- CHARLES HAZLEWOOD
Choreographer- JOEL MTHETHWA
For BBC TELEVISION
Producer- FRANCES WHITAKER
Executive Producer- PETER MANIURA
For HERITAGE THEATRE
Producer- ROBERT MARSHALL
TV Director- ROBIN LOUGH
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