Author's Note
The Orphans of Qumbu was the first collaboration with Allan Stephenson and represented a departure from the early percussive operas I had created with Linda Muller. The work was written in 1993, and was a celebration of the need for peace and reconciliation in our country. That this parable of aspects of South African life remains pertinent ten years later is a testament to the music of Allan and to the evergreen themes of guilt and forgiveness, which are explored in this one-act music theatre piece.
The Orphans of Qumbu remains the most performed work of the quartet - over 60 performances throughout South Africa - with no fewer than 1700 young people performing the role of the orphans. Out of all the musicals I have written I am the proudest of this work which still has the ability to move people to tears and allows them to leave the theatre humming the tunes.

Michael Williams
February 2003

General
This sung-through musical has 10 soloists (5F, 5M) and requires a chorus of between 20-50 young people. The music is scored for piano and two percussion players. Also available in Afrikaans as Die Weeskinders van Qumbu. Running time: 75 minutes