Kunene and the King

Kunene and the King mark the 25th anniversary of the end of apartheid with a highly anticipated London run at The Ambassadors Theatre. The play is written by South African activist, actor and playwright John Kani (The Island, Black Panther) and directed by Janice Honeyman (The Tempest, 2009). A refreshingly funny and vital play on the anniversary of the first post-apartheid democratic elections, Kunene and the King reflects on a quarter-century of change without ever getting too preachy or heavy-handed.

The Story

The play is set in South Africa. Jack Morris (played by Antony Sher) is a white South African classical actor who is well known for performing in Shakespeare roles. He’s been offered the title role in King Lear. He accepts it, only to discover soon after that he has liver cancer. After this life-changing diagnosis, he refuses to stay in the hospital and discharges himself. Lunga Kunene, a black South African (played by John Kani) becomes his at-home carer. Bonding over a shared passion for Shakespeare, the two men from seemingly different backgrounds reflect on the 25 years of apartheid-free Africa.

Good for

Drama | Play | Political activism