Diary of a Madman
Diary of a Madman is a one-man play by Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852).
Contents
The original text
Originally a short story about one man's descent into insanity,
Translations and adaptations
The English version of the short story was adapted for the stage by David Holman, Geoffrey Rush and Neil Armfield for the Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney, Australia, a production also presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in the United States and at the Quintessence Theater Group in Philadelphia PA.
Another version done by Durban-born Peter Prowse in co-operation with Gerald Wilson, was done for performance in South Africa.
Twice translated into Afrikaans, as Dagboek van 'n Gek by a member of SATS (1968) and as Dagboek van 'n Waansinnige by Roelf Laubscher (published as text by DALRO).
Performance history in South Africa
1968: Performed by Peter Prowse in his own adaptation (in co-operation with Gerald Wilson) at the Old Causerie, Hotel Edward, Durban. Stage directing, lighting and sound by John Graf.
1968: Prowse performed this play in the President Hotel Bloemfontein as a dinner -theatre presentation during November.
1968/9?: Performed in Afrikaans as Dagboek van 'n Gek by the Suid-Afrikaanse Teater Studio in Bloemfontein.
1988: Directed for CAPAB Drama in association with Ady Theatre Company by Karoly Pinter, starring Ron Smerczak. Music composed by Willem Nel, costumes by Katia Hornchen.
2001: Performed in Artscape,, directed by Michael Swinton with David Muller.
2024: Performed at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg, directed by David Muller with Bizo Maxegwana (7 & 8 June)
Sources
Wikipedia [1].
Teater SA, 1(2), 1968.
Programme notes, 1988
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