View source for Demea

''[[Demea]]'' is a play by [[Guy Butler]] (1918-2001).

'''See also the entry under ''[[Medea]]'''''

== The original text ==

The play is a based on ''[[Medea]]'', and is a political allegory of Apartheid South African at the height of 'Verwoedian mania'. Characters from the original Greek drama are given re-imagined names: 'Jason' becomes 'Jonas', 'Medea' becomes 'Demea' and 'Creon' becomes 'Kroon'. The play is set in the late 1820s.

Published by [[David Philip]], 1990.

==Translations and adaptations==


== Performance history in South Africa ==

1990: Produced at the [[National Arts Festival]] and the [[Alexander Theatre]], directed by [[Dieter Reible]]. Decor by [[Lindy Roberts]]. The cast included [[Nomsa Xaba]] as Demea, [[Louis van Niekerk]] as Kroon, [[Graham Hopkins]] as Jonas Barker, [[Dale Cutts]] (Fitzwilliam), [[Peter Se-Puma]] (Agaan), [[Christopher Wells]], [[Bill Curry]], [[Ulrich Dupont]] and members of the [[PACT]] Company. Designer [[Lindy Roberts]], lighting designer [[Paul Pamboukian]].

2007: Produced by students of the [[University of the Free State]] Drama Department, [[Scaena Theatre]], directed by [[Leendert de Jager]].

== Sources ==

Buter, Guy. 1990. Demea: a play. David Phillip: Cape Town & Johannesburg. 

''[[Beeld]]'', 19 Jul 1990, 

''[[The Star]]'', 30 July 1990, 

''[[Volksblad]]'', 4 June  2007.

[[National Arts Festival]] programme, 1990.

https://ibali.uct.ac.za/s/RETAGS/item/7397

Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]

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