Difference between revisions of "The Biko Inquest"

From ESAT
Jump to navigation Jump to search
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''' 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.  
  
Directed by [[Saira Essa]]for the Prithvi Festival in Bombay in 1985.
+
Directed by [[Saira Essa]] for the Prithvi Festival in Bombay in 1985.
  
 
== The original text ==
 
== The original text ==

Revision as of 18:09, 28 July 2015

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.

Directed by Saira Essa for the Prithvi Festival in Bombay in 1985.

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 Albert Finney), and on television directed by and starring Albert Finney (1985). The TV version was directed by Finney and broadcast in 1984/5.

Translations and adaptations

The production at the Laager was based partly on the Blair/Fenton text and partly on 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.

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.


Sources

Steve Biko: The Inquest programme notes.


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