The Fantastical History of a Useless Man

The Fantastical History of a Useless Man, devised by Malcolm Purkey for Junction Avenue Theatre Company (JATC). A deconstruction of the “official” South African history utilizing vaudeville techniques.

The original text

Inspired by the 1976 Soweto uprising, the play was created as a response to the prevailing political tensions, whilst at the same time questioning white English speaking South African engagement with historical realities from 1652 to 1976.

First published by Ravan Press in 1978, republished in 1995 in the collection At the Junction: Four Plays by the Junction Avenue Theatre Company by Wits University Press, Johannesburg.

Performance history in South Africa

1976: Performed in April 1976 at the New Studio Theatre in the New Arts Block, University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg); performed at The Nunnery, Johannesburg (September), and the Space Theatre, Cape Town, directed by Malcolm Purkey for Junction Avenue Theatre Company with designs by, co-devised by and featuring William Kentridge.

1978: A Baxter Company '78 production was directed by Ken Leach. The cast: Keith Grenville, Henry Goodman, Wilson Dunster, Melanie-Ann Sher, Sandra Prinsloo, Merle Lifson, Michele Maxwell, Roland Stafford.