New musical about Nelson Mandela is coming to The Young Vic

Virgin Radio

14 Apr 2022, 09:45

The iconic, inspirational figure is the subject of a new musical coming to The Young Vic, celebrating his life and loss, with the guidance of the Mandela family.

Titled simply Mandela, it will tell the 'story of Mandela the man and Mandela the movement' and will be 'infused with the rhythms and spirit of South Africa'.

Directed by Schele Williams and with music by Greg Dean Borowsky and Shaun Borowsky, the legendary campaigner became South Africa’s first black head of state after 27 years of being imprisoned.

Mandela’s grand-daughter Nandi said: “We are so proud to be bringing his story to the stage… we hope that my grandfather’s story, of a man from humble beginnings who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, will resonate with audiences far and wide, and communicate his message of hope - that we are all capable of doing great things, as long as we are true and authentic to ourselves.”

Luvuyo Mandasa, Mandela’s great-grandson, added: “Mandela is a story of hearts and minds… together, we will invite people to the Young Vic to see who Madiba was, who his family were and what they meant to him, the sacrifices they made and the many unsung heroes that journeyed alongside Mandela as he became a global, political icon.”

Mandela will open in November and run until February 2023. Nelson Mandela International Day is on Sunday 18 July 2021, marking the formidable man's birthday.