Arsenic and Old Lace

Arsenic and Old Lace is a murder comedy written in 1939 by American playwright Joseph Kesselring (1902-1967). The play was directed by Bretaigne Windust, and opened on January 10, 1941. It has become best known through the film adaptation starring Cary Grant.

Performance history in South Africa
1942: In South Africa it was produced by Costa Couvara for the Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society, opening in the Little Theatre on 24 August 1942 starring, among ohters, Geraldine Jordi.

1964: Staged in June 1964 by the Libertas Theatre Club in The Cellar in Dorp Street, Stellenbosch, directed by Esther van Ryswyk, with Jane Turner (Abby), Marie van Heerden (Martha), John Kitson (Dr Harper), Rita Sierts-Ehlers, Fred Roux, Piet Retief, Louis Eksteen, Pieter de Swardt and P. van Aarde.

1978: Presented by the Westville Theatre Club, directed by Steph Henley, August.

Return to
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays

Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays

Return to PLAYS III: Collections

Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances

Return to South African Festivals and Competitions

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page