This September theatre and music lovers will be treated to Music in the Air – The Musical, a powerful celebration of South Africa’s greatest music icons and the indelible role their art played in shaping the country’s cultural and political landscape.
More than just a musical, Music in the Air – The Musical, is a living archive of a nation’s resilience and beauty born through struggle.
Anyone who grew up in Africa in the 80s and 90s will tell you that African music was one of the best things to come out of that era and South African music in particular stood out because of apartheid. The enchanting voices of legends like Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Brenda Fassie, Chaka Chaka, Lucky Dube, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and many others rocked us through the airwaves of various radio stations across the continent. South African music was at every social gathering, be it a wedding, a night spot, a birthday or even political event, the sounds of resistance, joy and freedom were captivating. Many African countries were also going through political transitions and this made the music even more relatable. This music was a soundtrack to an unforgettable era in South African and African history and this is why writer and director Joel Zuma is staging Music in the Air – The Musical as a theatrical tribute to this era this September at the South African State Theatre.
“After years of working on western musicals, I wanted to create something that pays tribute to African music from the 80s and 90s, the era in which I grew up” says Zuma. ‘A lot of music came out during this time and gave birth to South African music icons whose work carried us through difficult times. I believe it should continue to be celebrated” he adds
Zuma, who wrote the play over a period of five years says that he had to put in a lot of research and work with the right people to bring this vision to life. He worked with Victor Masando on the music direction, Brian Hinds on set design and Lucky Cele on the choreography. The production also brings together some of the country’s finest acting talent composed of 18 actors including Ntambo Rapatla, Thabile Mtshali, and Sip Nkabinde. Many of them are familiar to audiences from hit television productions like Uzalo, Diepcity, The Estate, and Sbongile & The Dlaminis.
On stage the cast of 22 including the band members fuse acting, music,and dance to deliver performances that promise both authenticity and electrifying energy, all narrated by retired music legend and record shop owner, Mr. Martins (Joel Zuma).
‘It’s going to be like a live band experience. I want to take people back to the classic evergreen songs and remind them of how far we have come as a country. I want to remind the people of our great musical legends and also preserve their music” Zuma promises.
The musical which is being staged during heritage month in South Africa has already proven its power to resonate with audiences. Music in the Air – The Musical was previously staged at Durban’s Playhouse Drama Theatre in 2021, where it was met with rave reviews. Its arrival in Pretoria marks the beginning of a new chapter, with plans for a nationwide tour to Johannesburg, Durban, and Pietermaritzburg in 2026.
“The State Theatre is proud to present Music in the Air – The Musical, a production that resonates deeply with our nation’s history and spirit. It is a celebration of our cultural icons and a reminder of the power of music to bring people together across generations.’ says Sekhabi Aubrey, the Artistic Director at the South African State Theatre.
Music in the Air– The Musical is more than a nostalgic ride, it takes viewers on an exhilarating journey through the soundtrack of democracy, and invites audiences to relive memories or discover them anew. With soaring melodies of gifted singers, heartfelt performances, and a story stitched together from the songs that shaped a continent, the production promises to leave audiences inspired and uplifted.
Music in the Air-The Musical written and directed by Joel Zuma is running from the 12th -28th of September at the South Africa State Theatre.
Discussion about this post