A Musical Ode to History: The Tale of Cape Town’s Luxurama Theatre

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south african music luxurama theatre

Get ready to travel back in time with the upcoming documentary ‘A Cape Town Song: The Story of The Luxurama’. The film showcases the rich history of Luxurama Theatre and its impact on Cape Town’s music scene, featuring a song by renowned musicians Jimmy Nevis and Craig Lucas. The documentary pays homage to the numerous artists who performed on the Luxurama’s stage, including international celebrities like Tom Jones and South African icons like Loukmaan and Emo Adams. The project is a personal labor of love for the husband and wife team behind it, Nicki and Liesel Priem, who set out to eternize the illustrious saga of the Luxurama Theatre in Wynberg.

A Musical Ode to History: The Tale of Cape Town’s Luxurama Theatre

Discover the illustrious history of Luxurama Theatre and its impact on Cape Town’s music scene in the upcoming documentary ‘A Cape Town Song: The Story of The Luxurama’. The documentary features a song by renowned musicians Jimmy Nevis and Craig Lucas, paying tribute to the numerous artists who performed on its stage. The Luxurama’s hall of fame includes international celebrities like Tom Jones and South African icons like Loukmaan and Emo Adams.

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A Nostalgic Journey Back in Time

Breathing life into the rich echoes of the past, the highly awaited documentary on Luxurama Theatre of Wynberg, Cape Town, is set to spotlight the harmonious talents of celebrated musicians Jimmy Nevis and Craig Lucas. Their collaborative musical piece, ‘Never Forget’, has been crafted specifically for the documentary and tenderly pays homage to the theatre’s past. This documentary, titled ‘A Cape Town Song: The Story of The Luxurama’, is designed to eternize the illustrious saga of the Luxurama Theatre in Wynberg.

A Personal Project

The driving forces behind this ambitious project are Cape Town’s own power couple, Nicki and Liesel Priem. Their dedication to the project goes beyond a professional interest. It’s profoundly personal. Liesel’s mother began working at the Luxurama Theatre when Liesel was just a young child, making this location much more than a place of employment – it was a cherished home away from home.

Luxurama’s Hall of Fame

The Luxurama Theatre’s prestige has attracted a diverse and illustrious group of worldwide celebrities over many decades. The theater’s stage has been graced by notable names such as Percy Sledge, Connie Francis, Engelbert Humperdinck, Peaches & Herb, and Tom Jones. It has also welcomed a host of South African talent, including The Rockets, The Flames, Pacific Express, Zayn Adams, and Taliep Petersen. Even more notably, the careers of Loukmaan and Emo Adams took root within the hospitable confines of the Luxurama Theatre.

The Making of ‘A Cape Town Song: The Story of The Luxurama’

Documenting a Legacy

The Priems embarked on their thorough chronicle of the theatre’s glorious history in 2018, paying particular tribute to the multitude of artists who had the honor of performing on its esteemed stage. While the COVID-19 pandemic may have temporarily put their efforts on hold, their resolve to narrate the definitive story of the Luxurama Theatre remains steadfast.

The South African Contribution

The upcoming documentary fittingly emphasizes the significant influence of South African artists on the international music sphere. This is further underlined by the inclusion of a Jimmy Nevis-composed song, set to debut in July. The song, presented within the documentary, affectionately commemorates the theatre’s rich musical lineage.

Nevis, a renowned melody master, expressed his thoughts on the project stating, “The documentary focuses on the years of music and the wealth of talent that has emerged from the theatre, its importance to the community, and its crucial role during the Struggle.” He stresses his personal connection to the project, noting his obligation to relay this significant narrative, parts of which, he fears, may have been lost to memory.

A Harmonious Collab

In an unprecedented collaboration, Nevis joins forces with another South African music legend, Craig Lucas, to produce ‘Never Forget.’ This song serves as a sentimental recollection of the countless artists who showcased their talents on the Luxurama stage, reminding listeners of the pivotal role the building played in the larger community.

Nevis passionately emphasizes, “We mustn’t forget the building in Wynberg – as a community, we often feel forgotten.” It’s clear that this project is more than just a historical recounting of a noteworthy location. It is a tribute to the enduring spirit of music and community that flourished within the Luxurama Theatre’s walls. The documentary serves as a testament to the theatre’s history and a clarion call to honor its memory in the years to come.

What is ‘A Cape Town Song: The Story of The Luxurama’?

It is an upcoming documentary that showcases the rich history of Luxurama Theatre and its impact on Cape Town’s music scene. It features a song by renowned musicians Jimmy Nevis and Craig Lucas that pays homage to the numerous artists who performed on the Luxurama’s stage.

Who is behind the making of the documentary?

The project is a personal labor of love for the husband and wife team behind it, Nicki and Liesel Priem, who set out to eternize the illustrious saga of the Luxurama Theatre in Wynberg.

Who are some notable artists that performed on the Luxurama Theatre stage?

The Luxurama’s hall of fame includes international celebrities like Tom Jones and South African icons like Loukmaan and Emo Adams. It has also welcomed notable names such as Percy Sledge, Connie Francis, Engelbert Humperdinck, Peaches & Herb, The Rockets, The Flames, Pacific Express, Zayn Adams, and Taliep Petersen.

What is the significance of the Jimmy Nevis-composed song in the documentary?

The song, called ‘Never Forget,’ serves as a sentimental recollection of the countless artists who showcased their talents on the Luxurama stage, reminding listeners of the pivotal role the building played in the larger community. It also emphasizes the significant influence of South African artists on the international music sphere.

What is the significance of the Luxurama Theatre in Wynberg?

The Luxurama Theatre was a significant venue that showcased a diverse range of artists from around the world, including international celebrities and South African icons. It played a crucial role in the community and its history is a testament to the enduring spirit of music and community that flourished within its walls.

When will the documentary be released?

The release date for the documentary has not been specified, but the Jimmy Nevis-composed song is set to debut in July.

Lerato Mokena is a Cape Town-based journalist who covers the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene with a focus on emerging voices from Khayelitsha to the Bo-Kaap. Born and raised at the foot of Table Mountain, she brings an insider’s eye to how creativity shapes—and is shaped by—South Africa’s complex social landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, Lerato can be found surfing Muizenberg’s gentle waves or debating politics over rooibos in her grandmother’s Gugulethu kitchen.

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