Celebrating the Diaspora: black history as told by four iconic men
Famous black Americans including Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X unpack civil rights debate still raging today, writes Diane de Beer
February is Black History Month in the US, Canada and the UK, for the remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. One Night In Miami by Kemp Powers, directed by James Ngcobo, is the Market Theatre’s marking of the month. The play is based on the fictional retelling of a night shared by four iconic men, including Cassius Clay on the verge of converting to Islam and becoming Muhammad Ali; Malcolm X who was at odds with the Nation of Islam; soul singer Sam Cooke and famous footballer Jim Brown. "The meeting is in what has become the iconic Hampton House Motel on February 25 1964. Cassius has just beat Sonny Liston to become the new and youngest world heavyweight champion," he explains. "In the room are four hugely successful men, but in their own country and with all their success they’re still negroes. It’s a time of madness." Ngcobo says not much has changed in the US since then and the similarities with SA are obvious, which is why this play an...
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