Strider

Strider is a play by Russian theatre director and dramatist Mark Rozovsky (1937- ). Also called Strider: The Story of a Horse.

An acting edition published by Samuel French (date?)

The original text
Adapted from the 1886 story Kholstomer: The Story of a Horse by Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910)  of life seen through the eyes of Strider, a piebald horse. The story has been brilliantly and magically adapted to the stage and it makes Strider seem both equine and thoughtfully human. Despite his maverick coat, Strider is a thoroughbred and a champion. He tells his story to the other horses in the stable; it is one of unexpected triumph and undeserved despair, running much the same as his master's, a dissolute prince. Strider is also an allegory about the indomitability of the pure in spirit- and while inspirational, it is also a valid commentary on the injustices of the world.

Translations and adaptations
The English stage version of Rozovsky's play was created by Robert Kalfin (1933- ) and Steve Brown, based on a translation by Tamara Bering Sunguroff.

Performance history in South Africa
1987: Strider: The Story of a Horse was staged by PACT in the Alexander Theatre and at the Grahamstown Festival, directed by Terrence Shank, with Marius Weyers (Strider), Michael Richard (Prince Serpuhovsky), Aletta Bezuidenhout (Viazapurikha), Neil McCarthy (Count Bobrinsky), Dale Cutts (General), James Borthwick (Vaska), Graham Hopkins (Feofan) and Peter Se-Puma (Groom). The Chorus and other parts were played by Nomsa Nene, Graham Weir, Jennie Reznek, Nomhle Nkonyeni and Andre Odendaal. Decor and lighting by Stan Knight and costumes by James MacNamara.

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