Nkoli: A Fierce and Fabulous Life (European Premiere)
Nkoli: A Fierce & Fabulous Life
European Premiere — Theater der Welt, Chemnitz, June 2026
“A glamorous celebration of queerness.” — The Column
Nkoli: A Fierce & Fabulous Life is a bold, joyful, and deeply moving music theatre production celebrating the life of Simon Nkoli — one of South Africa’s most important LGBTQ+ activists, who fought simultaneously for the end of apartheid and for queer rights at a time when both struggles demanded extraordinary courage.
Conceived and composed by Philip Miller with lyrics by S’bo Gyre and Philip Miller, and featuring a cast of extraordinary South African performers, the production weaves together live music, dance, and testimony to honour a man who refused to choose between his Blackness and his queerness — and in doing so, changed the course of history.
Directed by Greg Karvellas, the production made its European premiere at Theater der Welt in Chemnitz as part of the festival’s 2026 programme, bringing a distinctly South African story to a European stage with all the warmth, wit, and defiance that defined Simon Nkoli’s life.
Fierce, fabulous, and full of life — Nkoli: A Fierce & Fabulous Life is a production that celebrates not just who Simon Nkoli was, but what he made possible for LGBTQ+ South Africans and activists across the world.
Director: Greg Karvellas
Creative Team
- Composition & Concept: Philip Miller
- Lyrics: S’bo Gyre & Philip Miller
- Choreography: Llewellyn Mnguni
- Musical Direction: Tshegofatso Moeng
- Set Design: Rocco Pool
- Lighting Design: Oliver Hauser
- Video & AV Design: Catherine Meyburgh
- Motion Graphics: Marcos Martins
- Costume Design: Sikelela Mr Allofit & Birrie Le Roux
- Sound Design: Fried Wilsenach
- Technical Direction: Michael Inglis
- Stage Management: Hayleigh Evans
- Video Projection: Kimon Pienaar
Producers: Harriet Perlman & Philip Miller (CHAF)
Cast
Simbone Qonya, Ann Masina, Luthando Madikizela, Nokuthula Magubane, S’bo Gyre, Grant Towers, Leah Gunter, Mhlaba Buthelezi, Monde Masimini, Simphiwe Simelane, Cindy Manciya, Zolina Ngejane, Ayanda Eleki, Eric Van Rooyen
Dancers: Tshepo Zasekhaya, Tylor Spelman, Lebohang Otukile
Musicians: Daphne Rudolph, Kenny Williams, Siyolise Nyondo, Justin Sasman, Ashlin Grobbelaar, Tsholofelo Tshikare
