Bopha!

Bopha! ("arrested") is the name of a play by Percy Mtwa (1953-), as well as the name of an American film based on the play.

= The stage play =

A play about family strife and loyalties during the 1970-1980 troubles, it tells the story of a son, whose father is a policeman working for the oppressors, while he is an activist involved in the anti-apartheid struggle.

First published in D. Ndlovu (ed) Woza Afrika! An Anthology of South African Plays by Braziller, 1986.

Translations and adaptations
In 1986 a TV documentary was made of the staged version of Bopha!, narrated by Sidney Poitier.

Performance history in South Africa
1985: First performed in the Laager at The Market Theatre as a Market Theatre and Earth Players collaboration in October 1985. directed by Percy Mtwa, starring Aubrey Radebe, Aubrey Moalosi Molefe, Sydney Khumalo.

1986: Performed in the Baxter Theatre in 1986, directed by Percy Mtwa, starring Aubrey Radebe, Aubrey Moalosi Molefe, Sydney Khumalo.

2012: Performed in the Soweto Theatre as part of the Joburg Arts Alive International Festival, Johannesburg. Directed by James Ngcobo with Siyabonga Twala, Samson Khumalo, Dom Gumede and Thabo Rametsi

= The film version =

In 1993 a film version of Bopha! was produced by Arsenio Hall Communications, based on Mtwa's play, with a screenplay by Brian Bird and John Wierick. It was directed by Morgan Freeman with inter alia Danny Glover, Malcolm McDonald, Alfre Woodard, Marius Weyers and Sello Maake ka Ncube.

= Sources =

Barrow, Brian & Williams-Short, Yvonne (eds.). 1988. ''Theatre Alive! The Baxter Story 1977-1987''.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211970/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_2

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106464/?ref_=nm_knf_i1

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2012/August/arts%20alive_event%20programme_2012%20%20.pdf

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