By Linda Ximba
Ill-health has forced theatre icon John Kani to step down from the lead role he was going to fill in the show Fences.
The play, by famed American playwright August Wilson, is set to open at the Joburg Theatre on 2 February.
The show seeks to explore unique family dynamics fused with awkward race relations and regrets.
In a statement, Kani said: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce that I will be stepping down from the role of Troy in Fences.
“It is a role I have long dreamed of playing. However, a bout of vertigo and the concurrent imbalance that it causes is precluding me from stepping on stage in this demanding role.”
However, Kani will continue in his significant position as co-producer and in working closely with the director and the cast during rehearsals.
“I am delighted to advise that the director has chosen the highly talented and experienced actor Tumisho Masha to succeed me in the role.
“I have no doubt that Tumisho will do great justice to this challenging part, as I would have done. I would like to wish the director, the cast, the designers and the crew great success in staging this exciting work,” Kani said.
Masha’s earlier role as Troy’s best friend, Jim Bono, will be taken by Lunga Radebe.
Also to be featured are Khutjo Green, Kani’s son Atandwa and Hlomla Dandala.
Fences is a 1985 play which tells the story of a family, headed by Troy and his wife Rose (Khutjo Green), navigating various hurdles with their son Cory (Atandwa Kani), Troy’s brother Gabriel (Sbusiso Mamba), Bono (Radebe) and Lyons (Dandala), Troy’s son from a previous relationship.
Pictured above: John Kani
Image source: Royal Shakespeare Company
