The Zulu’s are coming: 100 Zulu’s set to take over Brecon this August.
Brecon will witness a spectacle never before seen on it’s streets this August as over 100 Zulus take over the town with parades, displays and spectacular performances. Including a hip-hop and traditional dance stage show, a full scale Zulu musical, a royal choir, a series of talks and a battle re-enactment, Brecon is set to become centre stage on a global scale.
The celebrations begin with the Dream Team stage-show combining hip hop, dance, props and live music telling the story of the Zulu nation’s fight against the British, on August 12, 8.30pm at Theatr Brycheiniog.
The main event will be King Cetshwayo: The Musical, portraying the life of King Cetshwayo through a powerful new musical, featuring live music, traditional shembe dance, projection and storytelling on August 23 – 25. Written by Jerry Pooe, this new production will tell the King Cetshwayo story in 3 episodes, looking at his preparation for Battle, the epic battle itself at Isandlwana and then his capture and stay in London. The performance contains authentic amahubo singing and vibrant action filled dance. The epic story features over 25 performers including members of the Zulu Royal Family and is recreated through storytelling, song, multi-media and movement in this unique Zulu style.
“We are so proud to have the World Premiere of this amazing theatrical event. Brecon has an amazing and unique history with the Zulus and South Africa and we are delighted to be at the centre of such a historic occasion. Brecon will not see anything like this again for a long time.”
The opening night on Wednesday 23 August will be a special gala performance of King Cesthwayo: The Musical with an opening by the High Commissioner of South Africa.
There will be a performance of Shembe music and dance, South African Gospel, Zulu Wedding songs and Anglican Church hymns all performed by the King’s Royal Zulu Choir. The performance will take place on August 26 at Brecon Cathedral.
On August 27, the Zulu Royal Family and Government Officials will follow in the footsteps of King Cetshwayo on a trail around London, before the celebrations head back to Wales. On August 28 and 29, John Young will be delivering two talks on the Anglo-Zulu War including the death of the French Prince Imperial and the battle of Isandlwana. Also on August 29 there will be a showing of the film “Zulu Dawn” at the Coliseum Cinema, Brecon. August 31 will see an epic re-enactment of the battle of Isandlwana, where the outgunned Zulu’s led by King Cetshwayo triumphed through their determination and preparation. This was widely considered to be the greatest defeat suffered by the Colonial British Empire. The re-enactment will take place in the dramatic setting of Cardiff Castle. The final event of the celebrations will be a farewell meal at the Pierhead in Cardiff.
“This is a unique series of events commemorating the bravery of all those who fought and fell during the Anglo-Zulu War so long ago. We have been warmly embraced by our counterparts in KwaZulu-Natal and want to give them a warm welcome in Wales. This will be a superb opportunity for these artists to demonstrate their talents to an international audience. Brecon welcomes the Zulus.”
Dorcas Creswell, Project Manager for The Zulu Celebrations and Trustee of The Friends of The Royal Welsh Regimental Museum, Brecon
In addition to these events there will be an exhibition of images and Zulu artefacts on display in the Andrew Lamont Gallery in Theatr Brycheiniog, from August 24 until Monday 4 September.
The celebration commemorates the fallen heroes and sacrifices of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift through the recognition of a common history. Our aim is to identify cultural and economic development opportunities for South Africa and Great Britain. This is an important cultural event that will see Wales and Brecon become a “home from home” to the Zulu nation on this unique journey.
To book tickets or for more information visit brycheiniog.co.uk or call 01874 611622.
