Winnie-the-Pooh

Winnie-the-Pooh, also called Pooh Bear, is a fictional anthropomorphic bear created by English author A. A. Milne (1882–1956) [1]. Pooh Bear and his friends have been the cental characters in many stage, film and television adaptations of the original stories.

The original text

The first collection of stories about the character was the book Winnie-the-Pooh (1926), and this was followed by The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Milne also included a poem about the bear in the children's verse book When We Were Very Young (1924) and many more in Now We Are Six (1927). All four volumes were illustrated by E. H. Shepard. (Wikipedia)

Translations and adaptations

Adapted for the stage by Robin Malan in 1976.

Adapted for the stage by Ken Shuter.

Performance history in South Africa

1976: The Malan adaptation was staged by PACT Playwork, directed by Robin Malan, with Peter Terry (Reader), James Borthwick (Winnie-the-Pooh), Elaine Davie (Rabbit), Elize Cawood (Christopher Robin), Alwyn Swart (Eeyore), At Botha (Owl), Reg Britz (Piglet), Laurika Rauch (Kanga), Robin Malherbe (Roo) and Garth Tuckett (Tigger).

1983-4: Presented by NAPAC, performed in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, 14 December to 21 January, starring Iain Winter.

1984: Presented by the Arts Theatre Club at the East London Guild Theatre, directed by Joseph Ribeiro, musical direction by George Mountjoy, choreography by Hazel Tennant, with Alan Emslie (Winnie-the-Pooh), Andrew Lane/Daniel Souchon (Christopher-Robin), Mike Ormston (Piglet), Vic Kaiser (Eeyore), Owen McGillivray (Rabbit), Anthony Slight (Tigger), Darryl Nel (Small).

1991/92: A stage adaptation was staged by NAPAC, Loft Theatre Company in The Studio, Natal Playhouse in July 1991 and a revival in The Drama, Natal Playhouse in July 1992. The director was Murray McGibbon, assisted by Jeremy Blackburn. Set and costumes by Deon van Dorp, lighting designed by Glen Olsen. The cast: Jennifer Woodburne, Steven Stead, Bridget McCarthy, Fana Mokoena, Robert Fridjhon, Ivan D. Lucas, Anthony Stonier, Celeste Litkie, Annesh Ramklown, Cindy Sampson. Music composed by Anthony Stonier.

2005: An adaptation by Darryl Nel was presented by DSN Productions at the Port Elizabeth Opera House in June. The cast was Darryl Nel (Winnie-the Pooh), Alison Canter (Piglet), Danielle Kellermann (Christopher Robin, Tigger), Andrew Horne (Rabbit, Eeyore) and Bob Law (Narrator), with Shirley Shearman on piano.

Sources

Wikipedia [2]

PACT theatre programme, 1976.

Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.

Winnie-the-Pooh theatre programme, 1992.

Port Elizabeth Express, 1 June 2005

Arts Theatre Club archive held by George Mountjoy

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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