Maru

There are several South African plays by this name:

A play by B. Malefane

The novel Maru by Bessie Head has been adapted three times:

• by Wim Vorster
• by Walter Chakela
• by Phyllis Klotz

Maru by B. Malefane

Maru is a Southern Sotho play by B. Malefane. (“Clouds” – Southern Sotho) by B. Malefane. Published by Via Afrika in 1963. An historical play about the rise and fall of Dingaan.

Maru by Bessie Head

Maru is a 1971 novel by Bessie Head.

Translations and adaptations

Th Bessie Head novel has been adapted for the stage by Wim Vorster for a PACOFS production; by Walter Chakela for a production at the Windybrow Centre for the Arts, (both in 1994); by Phyllis Klotz for the Sibikwa Players (2007).

Performance history in South Africa

1994: The Wim Vorster version was staged for PACOFS, directed by Gerben Kamper, with Ilse Klink as Margaret, Maurice Carpede as Maru and Denise Newman as the narrator Bessie Head in May 1994.

1994: The Walter Chakela version, directed by Chakela, was staged at the Windybrow Centre for the Arts, with Patrick Shai, Nomsa Nene, Samson Khumalo, Nomsa Xaba and others in August 1994.

1995: Chakela directed his version again in March 1995, a production which toured Natal and played in the Drama Theatre in the Natal Playhouse - the cast included Alistair Dube and Shannon Simon.

1998: In September 1998 Walter Chakela staged his version in the Adcock-Ingram at the Windybrow Theatre, with George Lamola, Emily Tseu, Duma Mnembe, Alistair Dube, Pinky Fihlane and Elize Mark. Chakela directed another production of his Maru in the Windybrow Theatre in 2002.

2007: The adaptation by Phyllis Klotz was staged in the State Theatre Arena by Sibikwa Players.

Sources

"Stage Review: Maru". IOL. 8 May 2007.

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