Salomé

Salome (French: Salomé, pronounced: [salome]) is a tragedy by Oscar Wilde. The play tells in one act the Biblical story of Salome, stepdaughter of the tetrarch Herod Antipas, who, to her stepfather's dismay but to the delight of her mother Herodias, requests the head of Jokanaan (John the Baptist) on a silver platter as a reward for dancing the dance of the seven veils.

The original text
The original 1891 version of the play was in French. Three years later an English translation was published.

Translations and adaptations
Translated and adapted by John Caviggia from the French and the translation of lord Alfred Douglas.

Performance history in South Africa
1950: Directed by Taubie Kushlick for the Johannesburg Repertory Society during 1950 with Sheila Osrin in the title role. Johannesburg Repertory Players presented the play in a double bill with Sweeney Agonistes in the University Hall. Humphrey de Wet as "Herod" and Sheila Lawrence as "Salome" (Source: Trek 14(3) March 1950. 42).

1981: John Badenhorst and John Caviggia's production of the play was staged at the People's Space in February/March 1981 under the direction of John Badenhorst. The cast were Bryony Mortimer, John Caviggia, Joyce Bradley, Glen Melvill, Johan Liebenberg, Sharan Horwitz, José Neto, Bernard Myburgh, Barbara Dibble. Designed by John Caviggia. Stage manager Merle Pretorius.

1997: A University of Cape Town production was directed by Sarah Struys, starring Amrain Essop-Ismail, William Prophet, Anel Hamersma and others.In The Playroom, Hiddingh Campus.

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