Difference between revisions of "Born in the RSA"

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by [[Barney Simon]] and cast. A multilingual, workshopped play (styled a “docudrama”) about a cross-section of characters living in South Africa during the 1980s state of emergency and the height of the final struggle between the oppositional forces and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid Apartheid] government. The play presents the audience with their various testimonies – both personal and societal or national – and the resulting contacts and conflicts with the South African context of the 1980s. First performed at [[The Market Theatre]] in 1985, first published [[D. Ndlovu]] (ed) ''[[Woza Afrika! An anthology of South African Plays]]'' ([[Braziller]], 1986), then later in also in Kani ''[[More Market Plays]]'' ([[Ad Donker]], 1996) and in ''[[Simon et al: Born in the RSA -  Four Workshopped Plays]]'' ([[Witwatersrand University Press]], 1997). ''Born in the RSA'' by Barney Simon, in collaboration with his cast which included [[Fiona Ramsay]], [[Vanessa Cooke]], [[Timmy Kwebulana]], [[Gcina Mhlophe]], [[Terry Norton]], [[Thoko Ntshinga]] and [[Neil McCarthy]] wrote this play which opened at [[The Market Theatre|Upstairs]] at the Market in August 1985 before moving to the main theatre.
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''[[Born in the RSA]]'' is a multilingual, workshopped play (styled a "docudrama") by [[Barney Simon]] and cast.
  
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== The original text ==
  
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Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 B|B]]
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A drama based on a series of interconnecting monologues, developed by the  [[Market Theatre Company]] in Johannesburg in response to the declaration of a State of Emergency by then President P.W. Botha in July 1985, it presents a cross-section of characters living in South Africa during that time, at the height of the final struggle between the oppositional forces and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid Apartheid] government. The play presents the audience with their various testimonies – both personal and societal or national – and the resulting contacts and conflicts with the South African context of the 1980s.
  
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Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Plays|South African Theatre Plays]]
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Originally created and rehearsed by Barney Simon with the original cast of [[Fiona Ramsay]], [[Terry Norton]], [[Vanessa Cooke]], [[Neil McCarthy]], [[Timmy Kwebulana]], [[Thoko Ntshinga]] and [[Gcina Mhlope]], during July and August 1985.
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The production was first staged at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1985, and went on to tour England and the US to great acclaim. First published [[D. Ndlovu]] (ed) ''[[Woza Afrika! An Anthology of South African Plays]]'' ([[Braziller]], 1986), then later in also in Kani ''[[More Market Plays]]'' ([[Ad Donker]], 1996) and in ''[[Simon et al: Born in the RSA -  Four Workshopped Plays]]'' ([[Witwatersrand University Press]], 1997).
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==Translations and adaptations==
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== Performance history in South Africa ==
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1985: First performed  [[Market Theatre|Upstairs]] at the Market in August 1985 and directed by [[Barney Simon]] and Cast before moving to the main theatre where it opened on 18 September. Cast : [[Vanessa Cooke]], [[Timmy Kwebulana]], [[Gcina Mhlope]], [[Terry Norton]],  [[Thoko Ntshinga]], [[Neil McCarthy]], [[Fiona Ramsay]].
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Set and costume design by [[Sarah Roberts]], lighting design by [[Mannie Manim]].
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1985-6: Went on to tour in England and the US to great acclaim, the cast now including other members, including [[Erica Rogers]].
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1986: The same production was performed at the [[Baxter Theatre]] in 1986. Set design by [[Sarah Roberts]], lighting design by [[Mannie Manim]].
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2015: Performed by the [[Baxter Theatre]] company at the [[Grahamstown Festival|National Arts Festival]] ([[Graeme College]], 2-4 July) and at the [[Baxter Theatre Centre]], directed by [[Thoko Ntshinga]] with [[Faniswa Yisa]], [[Roeline Daneel]], [[Vakalisi 'Dobs' Madotyeni]], [[Emily Child]], [[Francis Chouler]] and [[Zanele Radu]].
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== Sources ==
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''Born in the RSA'' theatre programme, [[Market Theatre]], 1985.
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[[Ruphin Coudyzer]]. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of [[Market Theatre]] productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
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[[Pat Schwartz]] 1988.
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Various entries in the [[NELM]] catalogue.
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Press Release: ''Born in the RSA'' to be restaged at [[National Arts Festival]] 20 years after [[Barney Simon]]'s death - 27 May 2015([[The Famous Idea]] <info@thefamousidea.co.za>)
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Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
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== Return to ==
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Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]]
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Return to [[PLAYS II: Foreign plays]]
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Return to [[PLAYS III: Collections]]
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Return to [[PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances]]
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Return to [[South_African_Festivals|South African Festivals and Competitions]]
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Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
  
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 05:43, 4 June 2024

Born in the RSA is a multilingual, workshopped play (styled a "docudrama") by Barney Simon and cast.

The original text

A drama based on a series of interconnecting monologues, developed by the Market Theatre Company in Johannesburg in response to the declaration of a State of Emergency by then President P.W. Botha in July 1985, it presents a cross-section of characters living in South Africa during that time, at the height of the final struggle between the oppositional forces and the Apartheid government. The play presents the audience with their various testimonies – both personal and societal or national – and the resulting contacts and conflicts with the South African context of the 1980s.

Originally created and rehearsed by Barney Simon with the original cast of Fiona Ramsay, Terry Norton, Vanessa Cooke, Neil McCarthy, Timmy Kwebulana, Thoko Ntshinga and Gcina Mhlope, during July and August 1985.

The production was first staged at the Market Theatre in 1985, and went on to tour England and the US to great acclaim. First published D. Ndlovu (ed) Woza Afrika! An Anthology of South African Plays (Braziller, 1986), then later in also in Kani More Market Plays (Ad Donker, 1996) and in Simon et al: Born in the RSA - Four Workshopped Plays (Witwatersrand University Press, 1997).

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1985: First performed Upstairs at the Market in August 1985 and directed by Barney Simon and Cast before moving to the main theatre where it opened on 18 September. Cast : Vanessa Cooke, Timmy Kwebulana, Gcina Mhlope, Terry Norton, Thoko Ntshinga, Neil McCarthy, Fiona Ramsay. Set and costume design by Sarah Roberts, lighting design by Mannie Manim.

1985-6: Went on to tour in England and the US to great acclaim, the cast now including other members, including Erica Rogers.

1986: The same production was performed at the Baxter Theatre in 1986. Set design by Sarah Roberts, lighting design by Mannie Manim.

2015: Performed by the Baxter Theatre company at the National Arts Festival (Graeme College, 2-4 July) and at the Baxter Theatre Centre, directed by Thoko Ntshinga with Faniswa Yisa, Roeline Daneel, Vakalisi 'Dobs' Madotyeni, Emily Child, Francis Chouler and Zanele Radu.

Sources

Born in the RSA theatre programme, Market Theatre, 1985.

Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)

Pat Schwartz 1988.

Various entries in the NELM catalogue.

Press Release: Born in the RSA to be restaged at National Arts Festival 20 years after Barney Simon's death - 27 May 2015(The Famous Idea <info@thefamousidea.co.za>)

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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 The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page

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