La Maison de Zaza
La Maison de Zaza is a French play by actress, dancer, dramatist, and playwright Gaby Bruyère (1924-1978)[1].
Best known in South Africa under the English title: Birds of Paradise
Contents
The original text
A play about an attractive young widow thinks that she is investing in a respectable riding school, only to find out she has bought a brothel.
La Maison de Zaza was first performed at the Théâtre des Nouveautés on September 17, 1971, produced by Robert Manuel.
Translations and adaptations
In 1972 Darry Cowl adapted and produced the play as a musical comedy under the title Madame Pauline at the Théâtre des Variétés, 1972 (première on 9 December)[2]
The original text translated and adapted into English by Michael Pertwee as Birds of Paradise and performed at the Garrick Theatre in London, in 1973, directed by Ray Cooney and starring Moira Lister and Graham Armitage.
A South African film version of the English text and also called Birds of Paradise was directed by Tommie Meyer and Rex Garner in 1981 [3].
Performance history on stage in South Africa
1974-5: Michael Pertwee directed the English text for The Academy, opening 17 December 1974. It starred Rex Garner, George Korelin, Melody O'Brian, Pat Sanders, Catherine Askew.
1979: The The Academy played a return season at The Academy in 1976.
1992: Pieter Toerien presented the English version, starring Kryska Witkowska, Michael de Pinna, Jane Noble and Victor Melleney under Rex Garner's direction was staged at the Alhambra in 1992. Subsequently at the Theatre on the Bay.
Birds of Paradise: The South African film
The film
Translations, adaptations, sequels, etc
Sources
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Maison_de_Zaza
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaby_Bruy%C3%A8re
https://data.bnf.fr/en/ark:/12148/cb394619515
https://therealchrisparkle.com/tag/birds-of-paradise/
Theatre programme (1974 production) held by NELM: [Collection: KORT, Maurice]: 2012. 379. 6. 58.
Percy Tucker 1997. Just the Ticket. My 50 Years in Show Business. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press. (1992 production).
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