DO YOU KNOW BILLIE HOLIDAY?

Do You Know Billie Holiday? premiered at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival in South Africa in 2009, marking the 50th anniversary of Billie Holiday’s death in 1959.  Sharing his fascination with the iconic African American jazz singer, Nigel Vermaas speculates on the relationship between “Lady Day” and her prison warden asking questions about physical and psychological imprisonment.  In the play, Vermaas fictionalises the mutually liberating relationship between Billie Holiday and her prison warden.  The singer unlocks the goaler’s innate creativity, and, in turn she is helped to fight of predatory agents and promoters. 

Media: Issuu

• Written and Directed by: Nigel Vermaas 
• Cast: Mwenya Kabwe and Michele Maxwell
• Musical Direction: Michele Maxwell
• Designer: Dicky Longhurst
• Lighting Design: Daniel Galloway
• Stage Manager: Jade Bowers
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