The world premiere of Mandela, a new musical inspired by the life of anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, ends its run February 4 at London's Young Vic. Performances began November 30, 2022.
With music and lyrics by Greg Dean Borowsky and Shaun Borowsky and a book by Laiona Michelle, Mandela officially opened December 8, 2022, while streaming performances were available in January.
Schele Williams directs a company led by Michael Luwoye (Hamilton) and Danielle Fiamanya (Frozen) as Nelson and Winnie Mandela.
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 supplied additional music and lyrics.
The cast also features 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, orchestrations by Sam Young, musical supervision by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, musical direction by Sean Mayes, and casting by Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher.
Mandela was 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.
Leanne Robinson in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
Danielle Fiamanya in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
Ntsikelelo Nicholas Vani, Michael Luwoye, Akmed Junior Khemalai, and Shiv Rabheru in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
Michael Luwoye, Ryan O. Donnell, Ntsikelelo Nicholas Vani, Shiv Rabheru, and Akmed Junior Khemalai in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
Michael Luwoye and Danielle Fiamanya in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
Michael Luwoye in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
Zion Battles, Hanna Dimtsu, Posi Morakinyo, Blue Makwana, and Gregory Armand in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
Michael Luwoye in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
The company of Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
Nomfusi Ngonyama and Leanne Robinson in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
Blue Makwana, Zion Battles, Posi Morakinyo, Gregory Armand, and Hanna Dimtsu in Mandela at The Young Vic Theatre
