Difference between revisions of "Bopha!"
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| − | The play premiered at the Market Theatre in September 1985, | + | The play premiered at the Market Theatre in September 1985, and proceeded to a national and international tour that included Swaziland, Scotland, England, USA, and Australia. |
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| + | In 1993, the play was adapted into a Hollywood film, becoming American filmmaker Morgan Freeman’s directorial debut. | ||
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
Revision as of 08:02, 15 April 2021
Bopha! ("arrested") is the name of a play by Percy Mtwa (1953-), as well as the name of an American film based on the play.
Contents
The stage play
A play about family strife and loyalties during the 1970-1980 troubles, it tells the story of a son, whose father is a policeman working for the oppressors, while he is an activist involved in the anti-apartheid struggle.
First published in D. Ndlovu (ed) Woza Afrika! An Anthology of South African Plays by Braziller, 1986.
Translations and adaptations
In 1986 a TV documentary was made of the staged version of Bopha!, narrated by Sidney Poitier.
The play premiered at the Market Theatre in September 1985, and proceeded to a national and international tour that included Swaziland, Scotland, England, USA, and Australia.
In 1993, the play was adapted into a Hollywood film, becoming American filmmaker Morgan Freeman’s directorial debut.
Performance history in South Africa
1985: First performed in the Laager at The Market Theatre as a Market Theatre and Earth Players collaboration in September 1985, directed by Percy Mtwa, starring Aubrey Radebe, Aubrey Moalosi Molefe, Sydney Khumalo.
1986: Performed in the Baxter Theatre in 1986, directed by Percy Mtwa, starring Aubrey Radebe, Aubrey Moalosi Molefe, Sydney Khumalo.
2012: Performed in the Soweto Theatre as part of the Joburg Arts Alive International Festival, Johannesburg. Directed by James Ngcobo with Siyabonga Twala, Samson Khumalo, Dom Gumede and Thabo Rametsi
The film version
In 1993 a film version of Bopha! was produced by Arsenio Hall Communications, based on Mtwa's play, with a screenplay by Brian Bird and John Wierick. It was directed by Morgan Freeman with inter alia Danny Glover, Malcolm McDonald, Alfre Woodard, Marius Weyers and Sello Maake ka Ncube.
Sources
Barrow, Brian & Williams-Short, Yvonne (eds.). 1988. Theatre Alive! The Baxter Story 1977-1987.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211970/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_2
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106464/?ref_=nm_knf_i1
http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2012/August/arts%20alive_event%20programme_2012%20%20.pdf
Return to
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays
Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays
Return to PLAYS III: Collections
Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances
Return to South African Festivals and Competitions
Return to South_African_Films
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
