Difference between revisions of "The Biko Inquest"

From ESAT
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(7 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''The Biko Inquest''' by John Blair and [[Norman Fenton]]. A documentary play based on the South African inquest into the death in prison of the black leader. Originally written for the stage ''The Biko Inquest'' (Published , Jon Blair and Norman Fenton. ''The Biko Inquest''. Rex Collings: London, 1978.
+
''[[The Biko Inquest]]'' is a documentary play by [[Jon Blair]] and [[Norman Fenton]].
 +
 
  
Directed by [[Saira Essa]]for the Prithvi Festival in Bombay in 1985.
 
  
 
== The original text ==
 
== The original text ==
First performed by Blair Off Broadway directed by Blair and starring Fritz Weaver and Philip Bosco in 1978 and also by [[Wole Soyinka]], who both directed and acted in the play in Ile-Ife, 1978  and which was then produced for stage (Riverside 1984, with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Finney Albert Finney]), and on television directed by and starring Albert Finney (1985). The TV version  was directed by Finney and broadcast in 1984/5.
+
 
 +
Based on the South African inquest into the death in prison of the black leader Steve Biko. Originally written for the stage as ''[[The Biko Inquest]]'' and published by Rex Collings, London, 1978.
 +
 
 +
First performed at the Theatre Four, Off Broadway, New York in 1978,  directed by Blair and Fenton,  and starring Fritz Weaver and Philip Bosco.
 +
 
 +
Produced by [[Wole Soyinka]], who both directed and acted in the play, in Ile-Ife, 1978   
 +
 
 +
First produced in the UK at the Riverside Theatre, London, in 1984, with Albert Finney[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Finney Albert Finney]),  
 +
 
 +
The [[Jon Blair]] and [[Norman Fenton]] text was adapted for television, directed by and starring Albert Finney [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Finney Albert Finney]) and broadcast in 1984/5.
  
 
==Translations and adaptations==
 
==Translations and adaptations==
The production at the Laager was based partly on the Blair/Fenton text and partly on [[Saira Essa|Essa]]'s own research and resulted in significant changes in the script. Due to contoversy over rights she has created her own adaption referring back to the original court transcripts and to amendments she had already made, resulting in the play ''[[Steve Biko: The Inquest]]''.
+
 
 +
1985: A South African adaptation by [[Saira Essa]] and [[Charles Pillai]], called ''[[Steve Biko: The Inquest]]'', brought on by a controversy about South African performing rights. Based on the Blair/Fenton text but referring back to the original court transcripts and to amendments she had already made. Published and performed in 1985.
  
 
== Performance history in South Africa ==
 
== Performance history in South Africa ==
The play was first produced in South Africa by [[Saira Essa]] in the [[Abbey Theatre]] Durban and the [[Laager]] in 1985.
 
  
 +
1985: First produced by the [[Upstairs Theatre Company]], Durban, as ''[[Steve Biko: The Inquest]]'', Essa and Pillay's adapted.
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
 +
 
''[[Steve Biko: The Inquest]]'' programme notes.
 
''[[Steve Biko: The Inquest]]'' programme notes.
  
 +
http://lortel.org/Archives/CreditableEntity/19639
 +
 +
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Finney Albert Finney
  
 
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
 
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]

Latest revision as of 07:56, 3 April 2020

The Biko Inquest is a documentary play by Jon Blair and Norman Fenton.


The original text

Based on the South African inquest into the death in prison of the black leader Steve Biko. Originally written for the stage as The Biko Inquest and published by Rex Collings, London, 1978.

First performed at the Theatre Four, Off Broadway, New York in 1978, directed by Blair and Fenton, and starring Fritz Weaver and Philip Bosco.

Produced by Wole Soyinka, who both directed and acted in the play, in Ile-Ife, 1978

First produced in the UK at the Riverside Theatre, London, in 1984, with Albert FinneyAlbert Finney),

The Jon Blair and Norman Fenton text was adapted for television, directed by and starring Albert Finney Albert Finney) and broadcast in 1984/5.

Translations and adaptations

1985: A South African adaptation by Saira Essa and Charles Pillai, called Steve Biko: The Inquest, brought on by a controversy about South African performing rights. Based on the Blair/Fenton text but referring back to the original court transcripts and to amendments she had already made. Published and performed in 1985.

Performance history in South Africa

1985: First produced by the Upstairs Theatre Company, Durban, as Steve Biko: The Inquest, Essa and Pillay's adapted.

Sources

Steve Biko: The Inquest programme notes.

http://lortel.org/Archives/CreditableEntity/19639

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Finney Albert Finney

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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