A Place with the Pigs, A Personal Parable

A Place with the Pigs, A Personal Parable is a play by Athol Fugard (1932-).

More commonly referred to simply as A Place with the Pigs.

The original text

A two-hander based on the true story of a deserter from the Russian army in the second world war - who returned to his home and spent the next forty years hiding in a pigsty. While the play can be seen as an indictment of war, an examination of life in exile and even a love story, Fugard has spoken of the play's allegorical links to his personal history of alcohol dependence. Written at Yale, it premiéred at the Yale Repertory Theater, New Haven in April 1987, (directed by Athol Fugard, set by Ann Sheffield, costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Michael R. Chybowski, sound by David Budries).

Published as A Place with the Pigs, A Personal Parable in 1988 by Faber and Faber.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1987: It had its South African premiére at the National Arts Festival in July 1987, directed by Fugard, starring himself and Lida Meiring. Setting by Douglas Heap (at the time Head of Design at RADA), costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Mannie Manim, sound by David Budries (instructor and advisor in sound design at Yale School for Drama). It was subsequently presented at The Market Theatre and The Baxter Theatre.

2006: A physical theatre version of the play was done by Theatre Bazaar and Black Laugh Productions won the National Arts Festival Fringe in 2006, directed by Lara Bye and featuring Mongu Mthombeni and Jo Jo Hawkins.