Crepuscule

Crepuscule (derived from the Latin for "dusk" or "twilight") can refer to a short story by Can Themba, or to the dramatisation of the story by Khayelihle Dom Gumede (1988- ).

Not to be confused with the French play Crépuscule du Théâtre by H.R. Lenormand (Henri-René Lenormand, 1882-1951), performed in South Africa as In Theatre Street.

The original text

Can Themba's short story Crepuscule is believed to be a fictional interpretation of his real life love affair with a white woman, Jean Hart, during the 1950s, the early Apartheid years, in Sophiatown, South Africa. It was published in the collection The Will to Die in 1972 (Cape Town and Johannesburg: David Philip).

Translations and adaptations

The story was adapted for the stage by Khayelihle Dom Gumede im 2012.

The play text was published by Junkets in 2014.

Performance history in South Africa

2012: Crepuscule staged as a student production at the Wits School of Dramatic Arts, directed by Gumede.

2015: Crepuscule staged in the Laager at the Market Theatre in July, directed by Gumede, with Kate Liquorish ("Jennet Hart"), Leroy Gopal ("Can Themba"), Conrad Kemp ("Malcolm Hart"), Lerato Mvelase ("Baby/Kleinboy"), Thami Ngoma ("Ous Lethabo/Mama Dora/Sis") and Nhlanhla Mahlangu ("Stan").

2016: Crepuscule performed at the Victoria Theatre, National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, South Africa, in July.