No-Good Friday

No-Good Friday is a play by Athol Fugard. A look at the deprivations, violence and problems of township life governed by tsotsis. Written by Fugard on the basis of a workshop in rehearsal space provided by Union Artists, with the help of Lewis Nkosi, Bloke Modisane, Nat Nakasa, Sheila Fugard and the performers.

The play had its first performance outside South Africa in 1974 at the Crucible Studio, Sheffield, England.

The original text
First performed at the Bantu Men's Social Centre (BMSC), Johannesburg on 30 August 1958.

First published in 1958??*. Included in a variety of play collections over the years. (Kruger:88-89) Published in Dimetos and Two Early Plays by Oxford University Press.

Performance history in South Africa
1958: First performed at the Bantu Men's Social Centre (BMSC), Johannesburg on 30 August 1958 in conjunction with the Union of South African Artists, with “Hal Lannigan” (Fugard) as “Father Higgins” together with his black cast – Bloke Modisane, Dan Poho, Steve Moloi, Ken Gampu, Gladys Sibisa, Corney Mabaso, Sol Rachilo and Zakes Mokae, followed by four nights at the Brian Brooke Theatre in the same city that year (when Lewis Nkosi took over the role, to make it an all-black cast according to the laws of the time).

1958: Presented by the Benedicta Bonaccorsi Theatre Studio in aid of African Children's Feeding Scheme 17 September 1958.

1988: Produced by Professor Ian Steadman of the Wits School of Dramatic Art at the 1988 Grahamstown Festival Fringe. This production was one of three finalists for the Pick of the Fringe Award that year.

1989: Directed at the UCT Arena Theatre, Cape Town, by Liz Mills for the University of Cape Town Drama Department from 5 to 20 May 1989. The cast: Motshabi Tyelele, Linda L. Mpho, Christopher Gxalaba, Thembile Pepeteka, Neil Cave, Stephen Ntsane, Goodwill Mokoena, Pogiso Mogwera, Nkosinathi Gqotso, Mongezi Tom, Xola Luse. Music by Bella Jardim, voice coach Natalia Baker. Stage manager Nicola du Plessis, set design Liz Mills, lighting design Paul Abrams.

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