Rosmersholm

Rosmersholm is a play written in Danish by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906)[1].

The original text

Written in 1886, it was first published on November 23rd 1886 at Gyldendalske Boghandels Forlag (F. Hegel & Søn) in Copenhagen and Christiania. First performed in 1887, opening on January 17th at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen, followed by opening productions in Gothenburg (March 18th), Christiania Theater on April 12th, Stockholm on April 15th and Augsburg, Germany on April 6th. None of these were very popular with audiences.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into English by inter alia L.N. Parker (1889), Montgomery Carmichael, (c1890), William Archer (1901), Robert Farquharson (?), Michael Meyer (1980) and others.

Translated into Afrikaans by C.G.S. de Villiers as Rosmersholm in 1925. (His translation was later renamed Die Wit Perde van Rosmersholm ("The White Horses of Rosmersholm") , echoeing Ibsen's originally planned title of White Horses, intended to reflect the significance of the supernatural element in the play.)

Performance history in South Africa

First produced in South Africa by ** in 19* by *.

1934: The Afrikaans version by De Villiers produced by the Krugersdorp Municipal Dramatic and Operatic Society on 7 December, 1934,

1937: The Afrikaans version by De Villiers was planned for production by K.A.T. in Cape Town, but did not take place.

1955: The Afrikaans version by De Villiers produced by National Theatre Organisation under the title Die Wit Perde van Rosmersholm ("The white horses of Rosmersholm"), directed by André Huguenet, with Wena Naudé (Rebekke West), Johann Nell (Johannes Rosmer), Eghard van der Hoven (Rektor Kroll), Mathilde Hanekom (Mev Helseth), Cobus Rossouw (Mortensgaard) and Eugene von Bülow. Tilana Hanekom was the production manager for the tour. It played for 62 nights.