Brothers in Blood

Brothers in Blood is a play by Mike van Graan (1959-).

The original text

A play about Jewish, Muslim and Christian relations set in Cape Town in the late 1990’s and against the background of the vigilante group PAGAD’s [1] activities against crime and the drug trade. Xenophobia, prejudice, religious conflict, fear and anxiety – these are the challenges three fathers have to deal with in order to protect their children.

The writing of the play was made possible through a writing fellowship funded by the Charles Diamond Foundation, and the text was written in the course of 2006, going through a number of revisions, before being performed at the Market Theatre in 2009.

The play won the 2010 Naledi Theatre Award for Best New South African Play and the text was published by Junkets Publisher in 2012 (The publication has an Author’s Note and a Director’s Introduction.)

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

2009: First performed at the Market Theatre on 28 May 2009, directed by Greg Homann. with Karabo Kgokong (as "Fadiel Suleiman"), Dale Abrahams (as "Rev Fredericks") Kim Cloete (as "Leila Abrahams"), Murry Todd (as "Brian Cohen"), and David Dennis (as "Abubaker Abrahams"). Lighting and Set Designer – Denis Hutchinson; Costume Designer – Sarah Roberts; Composer – Michael Watt; Voice Coach – Fiona Ramsay; Stage manager – Emelda Khola.

2012: Performed performed in April 2012 as part of the 7th Artscape Drama Season, once again under the direction of Greg Homann. Featuring the multiple award-winning David Dennis, Kurt Egelhof, Aimee Valentine, Harrison Makubalo and Conrad Kemp.

2012: Presented at the National Arts Festival in July, along with Green Man Flashing and Just Business (both also by Van Graan).