A Night at Nkoli: The Vogue Opera

Steff Malherbe
Oct 14, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Nov 1, 2024

by Steff Malherbe

I left the Baxter theatre, after watching Nkoli: The Vogue Opera, exhausted. It was the kind of tiredness that comes from the use of all your senses, your emotions jolting up and down and repeatedly clapping and stomping your feet along to music; the kind of fatigue that comes from both laughing and crying hysterically within the space of a few hours. I did not quite know what to expect when I walked into the Baxter theatre, but it certainly was not what I was met with. S’bo Gyre, co-lyricist of the Opera with Philip Miller, described it best when they said, “Think if Hamilton and RuPaul’s Drag Race had a baby in South Africa. That’s Nkoli:The Vogue-Opera!”. The show is somehow a perfect concoction of drag, ballroom, archival multimedia, unbelievable choreography, a live orchestra, astonishing (and intentional) wardrobe choices and of course, opera.

Nkoli: The Vogue-Opera is the brainchild of globally acclaimed composer Philip Miller, known for his recent work on the soundtrack for the popular TV series uShaka iLembe, as well as his collaboration on William Kentridge’s The Head and the Load, and the Reuben T Caluza B-Side concerts alongside composer Tshegofatso Moeng. The lyrics, co-written with rapper S’bo, also known as Gyre, complement the direction of award-winning directors Rikki Beadle Blair and John Trengove (The Wound). The production features video projections by esteemed filmmaker Catherine Meyburgh and choreography by world-renowned dancer Llewellyn Mnguni. The show follows the life of Simon Nkoli (played wonderfully by Simbone Qonya), a pivotal but largely overlooked gay anti-apartheid activist in South Africa’s freedom movement. Arrested and charged with treason during the Delmas Treason Trial (1985–1988), Simon played a vital role after his release, organising Johannesburg’s first pride march and advocating for the inclusion of gay rights in South Africa’s constitution. He tragically passed away in 1998 at age 41 due to AIDS-related complications, during a time when access to antiretroviral treatment was denied in South Africa. The opera traces Simon’s life, beginning with his upbringing in Sebokeng township and charting his ascent as a prominent leader against apartheid and homophobia. It is a tale of bravery, resilience, and love, set against the turbulent backdrop of South Africa’s most defining decade. His story is told through a dynamic mix of protest songs, powerful arias, rap, lip-syncing, large-scale choruses, and stunning video projections.

The show is Emceed by a vogueng rapper (Niza Jay) whose costumes, and energy, get more and more fabulous as the show goes on. He hosts the show with humour, confidence and inclusion; often speaking directly to the audience, including us in Nkoli’s world. Every singer, actor and dancer in the show is worldclass; no one missed a beat, keeping the crowd invested until the final standing ovation. This play is not only a fascinating, heartbreaking, historical tale following Simon Nkoli’s life, but a catalyst for yet another unsung South African hero to finally get their flowers. Although I left feeling exhausted, by the time I got into bed that night I could not get to sleep. The show, in all of its unique iterations, played over and over in my mind. I kept thinking about how perfectly selected the projected backdrop was, how fun and impactful the music was, but most of all, the cast and story stuck with me. This opera is like nothing I have ever seen and I wish I could tell everyone I know to go and support it. Nkoli: The Vogue-Opera is on at The Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, from 9 – 19 October 2024.

“Welcome to the most grandiose of balls!” The Emcee, a vogueng rapper, sashays onto the stage. He is tonight’s host. The orchestra strikes up and a chorus of 20 singers and dancers walk through a giant closet on to the ramp to the foot stomping rhythm of a single drum beat. “We’re here. We’re queer,” they chant. Multiple film screens appear at the back of the stage, as the Emcee announces: “And the category is face your adversity.”