Antony Sher to star in West End transfer of Kunene and the King

Following a world premiere at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this year, Kunene and the King will receive its West End premiere at the Ambassadors Theatre in January 2020.

Written by South African actor and playwright John Kani, Kunene and the King tells the stories of terminally-ill white actor Jack Morris and a black retired male nurse named Lunga. As Jack's health deteriorates, their walks of life are thrust together as the pair reflect on changing politics and society in the African nation.

John Kani will reprise the role of Lunga Kunene in the show's West End transfer, with playwriting credits including The Island and Sizwe Banzi is Dead, both co-authored with Athol Fugard and Winston Ntshona.

The role of Jack Morris will be played by Antony Sher, who reprises his performance from the Stratford-upon-Avon production. Born in Cape Town, Sher has starred in Royal Shakespeare Company productions including the titular characters in King Lear and Richard III.

Janice Honeyman directs Kunene and the King, with a creative team including design by Birrie Le Roux, lighting design by Mannie Manim, music by Neo Muyanga and sound by Jonathan Ruddick.

Kunene and the King is at the Ambassadors Theatre from 24^th January to 28^th March 2020. 

Kunene and the King tickets will be on sale from 14th October. 

^{Photo credit: Ellie Kurttz at Royal Shakespeare Company}