True story of Marais and Miranda
David Kramer’s award-winning musical Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie will be performed at The Blik, 110 Gunners Circle, Epping, from Saturday July 27 until Sunday August 11 with performances on Saturdays and Sundays only, except for an additional performance on the Women’s Day public holiday, Friday August 9.
Charting the international success story of South African folk-singer Josef Marais and his wife Rosa de Miranda, the production premiered at the 2023 KKNK.
The musical has been expanded for its first full run at The Blik. Performed in English and Afrikaans, it will now also be presented featuring English surtitles.
The production features Dean Balie as Koos Heuningbek, Rushney Ferguson as Kittie Jaftha, Jenny Stead as Rosa de Miranda and Andre Terblanche as Josef Marais.
There will also be a live band on stage, featuring musicians Kerryn Torrance (violin), Yvan Potts (keyboard) and Nick Turner (acoustic guitar and cajon).
In 1952, Doris Day and Frankie Laine have an international hit with the song Sugarbush, which is purportedly written by Josef Marais. In the 1950s, Josef and his wife Rosa rode the wave of their success in America as a folk singing duo. Known as Marais and Miranda they became known for singing Afrikaans songs translated into English by Josef. Their records were played on radio stations across America, and they worked with Burt Lancaster and Humphrey Bogart in Hollywood.
However, back in the Boland, Kittie Jaftha doesn't celebrate their success. She feels betrayed and believes these songs don't belong to Marais and Miranda. She knows that Josef heard these songs from Koos Heuningbek, who works on his father's farm.
“Ver In Die Wêreld Kittie is inspired by a true story that few South Africans are aware of,” says David Kramer. “It opens a window into the world of Josef and Rosa Marais. Their story is a hugely entertaining journey, with a variety of song styles and original musical tunes. Our performers are exceptional in bringing this story to life.”
Tickets cost R230 or R200 for seniors and a 10% discount for 10 seats or more.
Book through Webtickets.
