Legendary actor John Kani pulls out of Fences' due to illness

Legendary actor John Kani pulls out of Fences' due to illnessAward-winning actor John Kani is stepping down from his lead role as Troy in a theatre show Fences' due to ill health.

by Rae Seleme

25-01-2023 16:57

in Entertainment

Fences' star John Kani will be replaced by Tumisho Masha. Image via Twitter @CapeTalk

Legendary actor John Kani, who co-produces and plays Troy in Fences has been replaced by Isidingo star Tumisho Masha due to vertigo illness.

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JOHN KANI: I WILL BE STEPPING DOWN' The award-winning theatre legend John Kani announced he's stepped down from the lead role Troy he's been playing in a theatre show Fences due to ill health.

It is with great sadness that I have to announce that I will be stepping down from the role of Troy in August Wilson's 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.

Kani assures audiences that he will continue co-producing the show and be part of rehearsals.

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I will, however, continue to play a significant role as co-producer and continue to be part of the rehearsals, working closely with the director and the cast. 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. I am quite sure that I shall recover from this temporary medical condition and be back at work again soon, he said.

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BACKGROUND OF FENCES' Tumisho Masha, who is replacing the actor John Kani will be replaced by Lunga Radebe in playing Troy's best friend Jim Bono in Fences.

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The show is a 1985 play that tells the story of a family, headed by Troy and his wife Rose (Khutjo Green), who navigate various challenges with their son Cory (Atandwa), Troy's brother Gabriel (Sbusiso Mamba), Bono (Lunga Radebe) and Lyons (Dandala) - Troy's son from a previous relationship.

The play also features Khutjo Green, Black Panther star Atandwa Kani and The River star Hlomla Dandala.

Fences director Ricardo Khan told Sowetan: I'm very excited to be directing this stellar cast and look forward to playing to Joburg audiences. Rehearsals are on track with the cast in high spirits as we prepare to start previews on the 2nd of February and an official opening on the 5th of February.

The popular play Fences is set to open at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, from 2 February, according to Sowetan

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CASTING NEWS:

John Kani, Khutjo Green, Atandwa Kani & Hlomla Dandala in Fences

Fences is a 1985 play set in the 1950s, and featured Denzel Washington & Viola Davis in the 2016 screen adaptation.

The play will debut at Joburg Theatre in February 2023.#KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/KQ6tiSVV0N

Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) December 15, 2022

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