The Market Theatre, in partnership with Hattiloo Theatre, proudly presents—direct from Memphis, Tennessee—the African premiere of Blues in the Night. Running for a strictly limited season from 5–22 February 2026, this Tony-nominated musical celebrates blues, jazz, and gospel classics, and their profound connection to love, resilience, and the emotional lives of Black women.
Conceived by Tony Award winner Sheldon Epps, Blues in the Night is a scorching, small-scale musical in which the soul of the blues wails out full and strong. Through 26 hot and torchy numbers, the show weaves the sweet, sexy, and sorrowful stories of three women entangled with a lying, cheating man—leaving audiences energised and inspired.
Featuring glorious songs by legends such as Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Alberta Hunter, Jimmy Cox, and Ida Cox, the musical captures the pain and heartache of life and love, alongside the resilience and determination that define the very essence of the blues.
The production is directed and choreographed by Emma Crystal, with musical direction by Ashley K. Davis.
The show arrives at The Market Theatre as part of Black History Month, which marks its 100th year in 2026. This centenary calls for honest reflection on memory, healing, culture, and the condition and position of Black bodies in an increasingly divided world. The milestone coincides with The Market Theatre’s 50th anniversary—a powerful alignment that creates a rich opportunity for representation and the amplification of unheard voices.
Honouring the Legacy of Black Women and Global Resistance
Adding further resonance, this month-long international engagement reaches South Africa in the 70th anniversary year of the historic 9 August 1956 Women’s March, placing a much-needed spotlight on Black women’s struggles across the world and highlighting the shared challenges we continue to face.
Playing alongside South Africa’s musical theatre classic Marabi, this curated season at The Market Theatre celebrates the influence of song and sound across the USA and South Africa in confronting injustice and giving oppressed communities a vocabulary of resistance and hope.
Leaders on a Shared Vision for Socially Engaged Theatre
Founder and CEO of Hattiloo Theatre, Ekundayo Bandele, and Artistic Director of The Market Theatre Foundation, Greg Homann, highlight the common histories between the two theatres in staging socially engaged works that challenge their respective nations’ collective conscience.
“From South Africa to the U.S., generations of oppressed people have sung their way up against discrimination, racism, subjugation, and dispossession as an unstoppable wave. This year, as we proudly present Blues in the Night for its African premiere, we also celebrate music’s ability to remind us of our shared humanity despite our fractured times,” shares Homann.
“The centenary of Black History Month finds us at a crossroads as a nation, as we interrogate the many histories that have shaped our democracy. In the local context, Blues in the Night commemorates the courage of the women of 1956, the fearless spirit of the youth behind the 1976 uprisings, and the brave hearts who opened themselves at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in pursuit of justice 30 years ago. As The Market Theatre celebrates 50 years of artistic excellence, it does so not only as a crucible for South African theatre, but also as a stage that has helped shape the country’s cultural identity.”
International Cultural Exchange Between Johannesburg and Memphis
Bandele shares his excitement about the upcoming African season: “Taking Blues in the Night to The Market Theatre in Johannesburg is an incredible honour for Hattiloo. I’m deeply proud to share our work on an international stage and to create a moment where Memphis artists can carry our stories, our sound, and our spirit across the world.”
This cultural exchange between the two socially conscious theatres will also see a South African production travel to Memphis later this year. According to Homann, this reflects The Market Theatre’s commitment to international collaboration that meaningfully benefits local talent.
Book Your Tickets for Blues in the Night This February
Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to experience the best of Memphis artistry at The Market Theatre this February—a powerful celebration of music, history, and heritage.
