Take Root or Die

Take Root or Die is a play by Guy Butler (1918-2001)[1]

The original text

A piece about the coming of the 1820 British Settlers[2] to Southern Africa. According to Akerman, it is more of a pageant than a play and is populated by many historical characters who came out as 1820 Settlers. There are many set speeches and characters narrate rather than convey information through dramatic confrontation.

The text published by A.A. Balkema in 1970.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1966: Performed as one of the opening productions for the Rhodes University Theatre Complex in 1966. The cast consisted of: Alan Kenyon as "John Stubbs", Paddy McLelland as "Mrs Stubbs", Noël Roos as "Thomas Stubbs" and Cathie Evans as "John Stubbs" (jnr); Tessa Randal as "Eliza Debnam"; Peter Lawton as "Rev. John Ayliff"; David Craig as "Captain Trappes"; Rosemary du Plessis as "Henrietta"; Roger Loveday as "Thomas Pringle"; Diana Sinclair as "Jane Dold"; John Gardiner as "John Montgomery"; Sue Parker as "Anna"; Paul Probert as "Driver".

1970: Performed again and published as part of the 150 year celebrations of the coming of the settlers.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Butler_(poet)

https://www.worldcat.org/title/take-root-or-die/oclc/116803/editions?referer=di&editionsView=true

Christopher R. Stones. 1985. "Take Root or Die: An Exploration of Authoritarianism, the Garrison Society and the South African Context", The High School Journal (Vol. 68, No. 4), University of North Carolina Press[3].

Anthony Akerman. 2025. “Remembering Guy Butler, a scholar who brought literature to life”. Daily Maverick. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-03-guy-butler-portrait-of-sa-playwright/

Go to ESAT Bibliography