On February 11, 1966 District Six was declared a white group area. Over 60,000 people were relocated. A way of life was destroyed. Fifty years have passed and today hardly anything remains of what was once a thriving, densely populated, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural community.

The Fugard Theatre, located in District Six, is currently paying homage to what was once District Six – the place and its people – until May 22 in the show District  Six – Kanala.

David Kramer, who together with his partner the late Taliep Petersen created the hugely successful musicals – District Six, Fairyland and Kat and the Kings, celebrates the vibrant musical culture that was to be found in the streets, halls, hotels, clubs and bioscopes of 1960s District Six.

“Kanala is my way of celebrating the memory of some of the amazing talents from District Six that I met and worked with over the past three decades. People like Taliep Petersen, Salie Daniels, Cyril Valentine, Billy Jaftha, Dougie Schrikker, Al Hendricks, Zayn Adam as well as Richard Rive and Vincent Kolbe. These are all friends who shared their vivid recollections of place and people with me,” said Kramer.

As always, Kramer has cast some of Cape Town’s top talents for this emotionally charged musical including Loukmaan Adams (District Six the Musical, Kat and the Kings), Bianca Le Grange (West Side Story, Blood Brothers), Carlo Daniels (Orpheus in Africa, Blood Brothers), Edith Plaatjies (Orpheus in Africa), Sne Dladla (Orpheus in Africa), Andrea Frankson (Blood Brothers), Natasha Hess (Orpheus in Africa, West Side Story), and Cleo Raatus (What We Wish For).

Kramer said: “I am really thrilled to be directing these dynamic, young performers, most of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with in previous Fugard Theatre productions of Kat and the Kings, Blood Brothers and Orpheus in Africa. They are all exceptionally versatile and capable of delivering the heartfelt and high energy performances that I have in mind for Kanala.”

These eight performers will be accompanied by a six piece live band under the leadership of saxophonist Donveno Prins and guidance of musical director Alistair Izobell.

“Alistair, Donveno and I have had a wonderfully creative relationship for many years now and I can’t wait to get back into the rehearsal room with them,” said Kramer. “Together with the band we’ll be creating an accompaniment bursting with the rhythms and flavours of the music that was popular at that time.”

Showtimes are 8 pm Tuesday to Friday, Saturdays at 4 pm and 8 pm and Sundays at 4 pm. Tickets R130 to R220. Book at 021 461 4554.