Following his international success with William Kentridge’s The Head & The Load, composer Philip Miller introduces us to his revolutionary vogue-opera, a massive collaboration with sensational queer rapper S’bo 'Gyre' Nene as co-lyricist, under the direction of the award-winning international director, choreographer, screenwriter and Vogue Ball extraordinaire Rikki Beadle-Blair MBE.

Titled NKOLI: The Vogue-Opera, the stage production is about the life of Simon Nkoli, a gay anti-apartheid freedom fighter who was imprisoned for four years in the Delmas Treason Trial (1985 –1988). Nkoli was unapologetically fierce and fabulous in a time of struggle, not only in a political landscape but during a time when the fight for social justice and equal rights in the LGBT community was at the forefront. The legend was involved with a diverse range of projects including the organisation of South Africa’s first-ever Pride march.

Based on the true stories of Nkoli and his compatriots, the production has a highly contemporary feel with a mix of rap, opera and protest songs, combined with multimedia projections by South African filmmaker and celebrated video designer, Catherine Meyburgh using photographs by Mark Lewis.
 

In celebration of Pride Month, the team behind NKOLI: The Vogue-Opera has partnered with RMB to co-host a multimedia exhibition at Art & About Gallery (a pop-up gallery in the RMB Precinct, 8 Merchant Place, corner Fredman Drive and Rivonia Road, Sandton) to honour his legacy. The exhibition is open during the week and runs until Oct 29. 

Get tickets for the highly anticipated NKOLI: The Vogue-Opera at the Market Theatre here.