Nongogo

Nongogo is a play by Athol Fugard (1932-).

The play

One of Fugard's earliest plays, about a cheap prostitute ("a woman for two and six") who has become a shebeen owner. In the play, Queeny meets honest, hard-working Johnny, and the play explores the mutual impact of their opinions about themselves and each other.

Productions

1959

First performed at the Darragh Hall, 1959 in Johannesburg, directed by Athol Fugard with Zakes Mokae as "Blackie", Tandi Khumalo as "Queeny" and Solomon Rachilo as "Johnny". Other cast members were Cornelius Mabaso and David Phetoe.

1978

Performed in The Gym at the The Space (Cape Town), directed by Lynne Maree with Ko Eckhart, Brian Ebden, Thoko Ntshinga, Joko Scott and Tiny Skefile. Design by Lynne Maree and Colin Jantjies, music by Clive Haylett and stage management by Pam Mills.

1981

A production in this year was directed by Lucille Gillwald. (Source: The Sowetan, 24 November 1981). A production with Thoko Ntshinga was staged at the Laager in 1981. Cast : Fats Dibeco, Andrew Mabizela, Patrick Ndlovu, Thoko Ntshinga, Lammy Shoba.

1994

Directed by Jerry Mofokeng at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre in August 1994, with Dambisa Kente in the lead. Executive director Alan Joseph; Artistic director Janice Honeyman; Production manager Jane Gosnell. This production was staged at the National Arts Festival with Owen Sejake as Sam, Patrick Shai as Johnny, Dambisa Kente as Queeny, Patrick played by Mike Mvelase and Blackie by Arthur Molepo. Nominated for a FNB/Vita Play of the Year Award.

2006

Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu(Sam), Lindelani Buthelezi (Patrick), Warona Seane, Sibusiso Mamba (Johnny), Dimakatso Mataboge, Siphiwe Hlabangane (Blackie), Warona Seane (Queenie) [[and directed by John Matshikiza for the programme for the Market Theatre production of Nongogo by Athol Fugard, staged in the Barney Simon theatre, 23 March - 30 April 2006.

2013

Performed at Soweto Theatre Directed by James Ngcobo with Masasa Mbangeni, Tony Kgoroge, Fana Mokoena and Desmond Dube. Then in September as part of the Joburg Arts Alive Festival, and in The Laager at the Market Theatre (9 October – 3 November 2013). Directed by James Ngcobo, with Desmond Dube (Blackie), Hamilton Dlamini (Patrick), Tony Kgoroge (Johnny), Masasa Mbangeni (Queeny) and Fana Mokoena (Sam). Set Designer: Nadya Cohen, Lighting Designer: Wesley France, Stage Managers: Puleng Mabuya and Emelda Khola.

2015

The Market Theatre revived its 2013 production with three of the original cast members, again directed by James Ngcobo now with Desmond Dube, Hamilton Dhlamini, Nat Ramabulana, Masasa Mbangeni and Pakamisa Zwedala. It played at the Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs in Toronto, Canada, under a project run by the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) and the Canadian Stage in Toronto.

2021

A new adaptation by actor and director Bheki Mkhwane seeks to make it relevant to the new South Africa by turning it into a nonracial story.

Publication

Published in Dimetos and two Early Plays by Oxford University Press in 1977.

Published in The Township Plays by Athol Fugard, edited by Dennis Walder, Oxford University Press, 1993, containing No-Good Friday, Nongogo, The Coat, Siswe Bansi is Dead, The Island.

Sources

Photograph by Jürgen Schadeberg (1959 production) held by NELM: Photograph collection [Collection: FUGARD, Athol]: 2016. 68. 22. 4.

Astbury, 1979.

Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)

Artslink.co.za Headlines - Week 38 - 18/09/2013 10:00[1]

http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=34006

Athol Fugard – Statements. An Athol Fugard site by Iain Fisher[2]

National Arts Festival programme, 1994

Sandile Memela. 2021. "Bheki Mkhwane rewrites Fugard to go beyond his '50s imagination", Sunday Times, Lifestyle, 29 August 2021

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