Birmingham Hippodrome will open the first UK and Ireland tour of Cape Town Opera’s production of Show Boat.
The show will run from Wednesday until Saturday, 2 to 5 July, before going on a short tour which takes in Salford, Cardiff and Dublin.
Stuart Griffiths, the Hippodrome’s chief executive, said, “We’re very excited to be opening the tour. This is part of the theatre’s ongoing ambition to bring to the city the best in international performance from the finest companies across the world.”
Cape Town Opera, regarded as Africa's premier opera company, last visited Birmingham Hippodrome in 2012 with its production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.
Based on the novel by Edna Ferber with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Show Boat premièred on Broadway in 1927.
Michael Williams, managing director of Cape Town Opera, said, "We’re thrilled to bring Cape Town Opera's production of Show Boat to the UK for the first time.
“It will showcase the talents of the company while offering a wonderful spectacle and experience for all the family.”
Janice Honeyman directs, with designs by Johan Engels. The company will be joined by the 30-strong Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.