Kat and the Kings, the multi-award winning musical created by David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen, will be presented at Pieter Toerien’s Theatre at Montecasino in Fourways, Johannesburg, for a limited season from Thursday, 20 September to Sunday, 18 November.

Since it opened at the Fugard Theatre in District Six in Cape Town in May, the high-energy production of Kat and the Kings played to sold out houses and nightly standing ovations, extending no less than three times before the final show on Sunday, 2 September.

Produced by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre and directed by David Kramer, the Double Olivier award-winning production stars a multi-talented young cast, headed by veteran actor Danny Butler as Old Kat and newcomer Dean Balie as Young Kat. They are supported by Grant Peres as Bingo, Zak Toerien as Magoo, Carlo Daniels as Ballie and Amy Trout as Lucy.

Set in Cape Town’s District Six in the 1950s, Kat and the Kings explores the journey of teenager Kat Diamond, from singing outside the famous Westminster Café to recording a seven single record and performing at The Claridges Hotel in Durban. Young Kat, who is convinced that he is the best singer and dancer in District Six, forms the a cappella group the Cavalla Kings with his friends Ballie, Bingo and Magoo. When Magoo’s sister Lucy Dixon decides to take them under her wing, the quintet, with their American doo wop and rock and roll influences, becomes a sensation in the District. Danny Butler plays the older Kat Diamond, having performed the role previously to great acclaim in London, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Vienna, and more recently at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town. A dynamic six piece live band, led by the talented musical director and saxophonist Don-veno Prins, accompanies the action every night.

After touring South Africa, the original production of Kat and the Kings was invited to the Tricycle Theatre in London in November 1998 and thereafter transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. The production won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the entire cast won the award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1999, a first for a South African production. The musical then transferred to Broadway where it was nominated for a Tony, a Drama League and three Drama Desk Awards.

David Kramer, who has dedicated the production to the late Taliep Petersen, said, “This cast have stepped out of the shadow of those that came before them and have made the musical their own. Taliep would have been thrilled to know that the work had given opportunity to a new generation of young talent." “This is a wonderful production for the whole family – it has been delightful to see audiences singing and dancing along,” says Daniel Galloway, general manager of the Fugard Theatre.

Kat and the Kings begins previewing at Pieter Toerien’s Theatre at Montecasino on Thursday, 20 September and opens on Sunday, 30 September. The season runs until Sunday, 18 November with performances from Wednesdays to Fridays at 20:00, Saturdays at 16:00 and 20:00 and Sundays at 15:00. Tickets range from R100 to R250 via Computicket and 0861 915 8000 with block bookings and special discounts available. Advance booking is recommended.