4 - “Kwela Kong”: The Trials and Tribulations of a South African Musical Abroad in 1961

Summary

Shortly after its 1959 debut, word of King Kong and its success spread to two global epicenters of modern theater: Britain and the United States. This in itself was revolutionary. “For the first time ever, American and British producers flew out to take a look at a South African show, rather than the other way around,” notes Percy Tucker. After significant negotiations in which the USAA relied heavily on associates like Robert Loder and their business experience, British impresario Jack Hylton purchased an option to bring the play to London, followed by a tour throughout the rest of United Kingdom. Soon after acquiring the rights, Hylton tapped Gluckman to direct the West End– bound production and tailor it to British tastes.

For those involved in King Kong, it was hoped, even assumed, that the production was destined to take Britain by storm. Jazz and musical theater were both popular throughout the country. Britain that welcomed it on its arrival to Great Britain because British critics and audiences did not appreciate King Kong on the musical's own terms. Because of their own preconceived notions of black South African cultures and black life under apartheid in addition to the amateurish aspects of the production, these foreign audiences simply could not be satisfied enough to ensure King Kong's long-term success. The chapter concludes by examining how the lackluster UK tour ultimately undermined its chances of being staged in the United States, a hope that many in King Kong considered their ultimate goal.

Jack Hylton, Theater, and Popular Music in Britain

Jack Hylton was a key force in British popular culture. His career as a jazz pianist, bandleader, and later impresario were emblematic of the trends in British show business during much of the twentieth century.If there was an individual who could deliver King Kong to success overseas, one could not find a more suitable candidate than Hylton.

Soon after jazz first rose to popularity in the United States, it began infiltrating Britain. By the mid-1920s, jazz was breaking into mainstream music circles, particularly in London (the first jazz-related story in the popular media appeared in Melody Magazine in 1926). Over time, the music developed own British style and sensibility. Jackson “Jack” Hylton featured prominently in both regards. Born in Lancashire, Hylton moved to London in 1913 and began playing professionally.