about ddk

Dimpho Di Kopane is a lyric theatre company consisting of up to thirty-two fantastically talented South African actors and singers. The name Dimpho Di Kopane means "combined talents" in Sotho, aptly describing the way in which the company works, relying on every company member's unique skills as well as their collective focus and energy to perform work of the highest caliber.

DDK began in late 2000 when Mark Donrford-May and Charles Hazlewood, then Artistic and Music Directors of Broomhill Opera in London, were asked to form an ensemble company in Cape Town. They began recruiting performers through an unprecedented audition process in which over two thousand auditions were held throughout rural and urban South Africa.

In its first five years, Dimpho Di Kopane has achieved phenomenal success. In 2001 Carmen and Yiimimangaliso The Mysteries transferred to Wilton's Music Hall in London where both productions had to be extended due to demand for tickets and were listed for six weeks running as the most important music and theatre events in London.

"From now on this should be the Carmen by which others are measured."
The Observer, London
"I cannot recommend strongly enough that you see this show, a kind of electric shock therapy that you would be lucky to find elsewhere"
The Times, London
The company then went on tour to the US, Australia, Canada, Turkey and the UK including a hugely successful West End run.

"Hundreds of jaded journalists forgot their cynicism and sprang to their feet in ovation."
The Times, London
"One of the most moving, beautiful, humane and courageous shows you will ever see."
The Daily Telegraph, London
In April and May 2004, in association with Spier Films and Nando's, DDK made their first feature film U-Carmen eKhayelitsha. The film surpassed all expectation by winning the Golden Bear for Best Film at the Berlin International Film Festival.

After making U-Carmen eKhayelitsha DDK performed in a five week residency in New York City as part of Season South Africa where they presented four of their productions in repertoire: Carmen, Yiimimangaliso The Mysteries, Ibali looTsotsi The Beggar's Opera and the company's newest work IKumkanikazi yeKhephu The Snow Queen.

"a repertory company of vibrantly skilled actor-singer-dancers..."

"sheer theatrical and musical pleasure..."

"Don't miss any of them."

The New York Times, November 2004
DDK's second film Son of Man which was shot during 2005 has won critical acclaim in the States where it premiered in official selection at Sundance in January 2006. The film takes the life of Christ into contemporary Africa and was filmed in the Eastern Cape and in Khayelitsha. Winner of the Festival Award for Best Feature at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, Son of Man has also been chosen to celebrate 25 years of Sundance at BAM in New York in May 2006. Son of Man releases in churches in the Western Cape over Easter weekend, April 2006.


DDK's stage productions are represented internationally (apart from the UK) by CAMI
Tim Fox
President and Chief Operating Officer
Columbia Artists Management LLC
1790 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
212-841-9571, phone
212-841-9774, fax
tfox-at-cami.com