Poster for King Kong Production, 1960

Date: 11 August, 1960

After long and protracted negotiations with the South African government, 60 passport applications for the African members of the original “King Kong” cast were approved. The cast was to travel to London where they would join the Jack Hylton Production.

The production was directed by Leon Gluckman. After the approval of passports for the cast Gluckman said; “This is a great triumph for us.” In 1959 he had a tough time when trying to persuade  Hylton that this home-grown musical could best be presented by an all-South African Native cast. In addition Gluckman said that “It is also a wonderful feather in a cap of the Union of South Africa Arts which originally sponsored the show.” Other production members like Pat Williams and Todd Matshikiza who wrote the lyrics, were already in London.

Among those performers were Miriam Makeba, South Africa’s song-bird, and Lionel Ngakana.

References:

1. Walker, O. ( 1960), ‘Passports for 60 non-Whites’ from The Star 11 August, [Available at the National Library of South Africa, Cape Town Campus] pg 1.
2. All About Jazz.com, ‘South African Jazz Timeline’ [online] Available at www.allaboutjazz.com [Accessed: 02 August 2011]