Night of the Long Wake

Night of the Long Wake is a play by Dukuza ka Macu.

The original text

A play that focusses on the actions and reactions of a group of people to the events 16th June, 1976 in South Africa. the play “examines the life and death of a notorious man.” It is set in two alternating periods, namely the 1960s and 1976. The play examines the consequences of the 1976 uprisings.

Playscript [Typescript with holograph additions] held by NELM: [Collection: MARKET THEATRE]: 2014. 7. 12.

Performance history in South Africa

1983: The play was first performed on 21 March 1983, as the opening production at the new Dhlomo Theatre, Newton, Johannesburg. Directed by Benjy Francis, with Fats Bookholane, Owen Sejake, Mavuso Tshabalala, Nandi Nyembe, Dambisa Kente, Aubrey Sekese and Patience Africa.

1990: Presented at the Donaldson Orlando Community Centre (DOCC).

1998: Produced at Downstairs Theatre, Wits, directed by Mufunanji Magalazi, May.

Sources

Scenaria (36), 1983. p.29.

The Citizen, 7 May 1998.

Theatre programme held by NELM (1983 production): [Collection: FARMER, Anthony]: 2007. 18. 13. 876.

Andile Xaba. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis.

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