Difference between revisions of "Meropa"
| (24 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | ''[[Meropa]]'' is a variety musical show originally created as ''[[ | + | ''[[Meropa]]'' ([[Sotho]] for drums) is the title of a variety musical show of the 1970s, originally conceived and created through an improvisational process by [[Cocky Thlothlalamaje]] and the [[Phoenix Players]]. |
| + | |||
| + | Also known as ''[[Isintu]]'', ''[[KwaZulu]]'' or ''[[Meropa: The Drums of Africa]]''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==The play== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The original play was devised by [[Cocky Thlothlalamaje]] with the [[Phoenix Players]], with original songs and music by [[Victor Ntoni]], using music drawn from traditional tribal folklore, and was initially named '''''[[Isintu]]'''''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The text was subsequently adapted by [[Corney Mabaso]] and was then reworked by Canadian director [[Clarence Wilson]] with the group and and taken on a 3 month tour of Japan and the Far East under the new name of ''[[Meropa]]''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | On their return, the show was enlarged and restaged by Brickhill-Burke to re-open the refurbished [[His Majesty’s Theatre]] in Johannesburg in 1974. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The piece was at one time also renamed to '''''[[KwaZulu]]''''' for its season in London. | ||
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| − | |||
| − | 1974: ''Meropa, the | + | 1974: ''[[Meropa, the Drums of Africa]]'' presented by [[Joan Brickhill]] and [[Louis Burke]]. Claimed to have been conceived, devised and designed by [[Clarence Wilson]] in the programme, the piece was directed by [[Joan Brickhill]], [[Louis Burke]] and [[Clarence Wilson]]. Choreography by [[Josh Makhene]] and [[Joan Brickhill]]. Assistant Director: [[Josh Makhene]]. Lighting designed by [[Louis Burke]]. The Original Stagecast Recording was released by [[Philips]] in 1974. The album was re-released by [[Philips]] in 1975 as ''[[Kwa Zulu]]''. |
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| − | Theatre programme (Phoenix Players production) held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: MARKET THEATRE]: 2014. 7. 362. | + | |
| + | Theatre programme ([[Phoenix Players]] production) held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: MARKET THEATRE]: 2014. 7. 362. | ||
Theatre programme (1974 production) held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: KORT, Maurice]: 2012. 379. 21. 47. | Theatre programme (1974 production) held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: KORT, Maurice]: 2012. 379. 21. 47. | ||
https://www.discogs.com/release/6016370-Clarence-Wilson-Meropa-Original-Stagecast-Recording?srsltid=AfmBOopQSOpwzXqjKIn-vKJpm0mvkG7iUYTnrY2LJjzAO-R2CR18eX8x | https://www.discogs.com/release/6016370-Clarence-Wilson-Meropa-Original-Stagecast-Recording?srsltid=AfmBOopQSOpwzXqjKIn-vKJpm0mvkG7iUYTnrY2LJjzAO-R2CR18eX8x | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://www.discogs.com/release/2255763-Joan-Brickhill-Louis-Burke-Present-Clarence-Wilson-Kwa-Zulu-Original-Stage-Cast-Recording | ||
== Return to == | == Return to == | ||
| + | |||
Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 M|M]] | Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 M|M]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:05, 8 July 2025
Meropa (Sotho for drums) is the title of a variety musical show of the 1970s, originally conceived and created through an improvisational process by Cocky Thlothlalamaje and the Phoenix Players.
Also known as Isintu, KwaZulu or Meropa: The Drums of Africa.
The play
The original play was devised by Cocky Thlothlalamaje with the Phoenix Players, with original songs and music by Victor Ntoni, using music drawn from traditional tribal folklore, and was initially named Isintu.
The text was subsequently adapted by Corney Mabaso and was then reworked by Canadian director Clarence Wilson with the group and and taken on a 3 month tour of Japan and the Far East under the new name of Meropa.
On their return, the show was enlarged and restaged by Brickhill-Burke to re-open the refurbished His Majesty’s Theatre in Johannesburg in 1974.
The piece was at one time also renamed to KwaZulu for its season in London.
Performance history in South Africa
1974: Meropa, the Drums of Africa presented by Joan Brickhill and Louis Burke. Claimed to have been conceived, devised and designed by Clarence Wilson in the programme, the piece was directed by Joan Brickhill, Louis Burke and Clarence Wilson. Choreography by Josh Makhene and Joan Brickhill. Assistant Director: Josh Makhene. Lighting designed by Louis Burke. The Original Stagecast Recording was released by Philips in 1974. The album was re-released by Philips in 1975 as Kwa Zulu.
Sources
Theatre programme (Phoenix Players production) held by NELM: [Collection: MARKET THEATRE]: 2014. 7. 362.
Theatre programme (1974 production) held by NELM: [Collection: KORT, Maurice]: 2012. 379. 21. 47.
Return to
Return to M
Return to South African Theatre Plays
Return to Main Page
