Difference between revisions of "Take Root or Die"
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==The original text== | ==The original text== | ||
| − | A piece about the coming of the 1820 British Settlers to Southern Africa. | + | A piece about the coming of the '''1820 British Settlers'''[https://www.1820settlers.com/] to Southern Africa. According to Akerman, it is more of a pageant than a play and is populated by many historical characters who came out as 1820 Settlers. There are many set speeches and characters narrate rather than convey information through dramatic confrontation. |
The text published by [[A.A. Balkema]] in 1970. | The text published by [[A.A. Balkema]] in 1970. | ||
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1966: Performed as one of the opening productions for the [[Rhodes University Theatre Complex]] in 1966. The cast consisted of: [[Alan Kenyon]] as "John Stubbs", [[Paddy McLelland]] as "Mrs Stubbs", [[Noël Roos]] as "Thomas Stubbs" and [[Cathie Evans]] as "John Stubbs" (jnr); [[Tessa Randal]] as "Eliza Debnam"; [[Peter Lawton]] as "Rev. John Ayliff"; [[David Craig]] as "Captain Trappes"; [[Rosemary du Plessis]] as "Henrietta"; [[Roger Loveday]] as "[[Thomas Pringle]]"; [[Diana Sinclair]] as "Jane Dold"; [[John Gardiner]] as "John Montgomery"; [[Sue Parker]] as "Anna"; [[Paul Probert]] as "Driver". | 1966: Performed as one of the opening productions for the [[Rhodes University Theatre Complex]] in 1966. The cast consisted of: [[Alan Kenyon]] as "John Stubbs", [[Paddy McLelland]] as "Mrs Stubbs", [[Noël Roos]] as "Thomas Stubbs" and [[Cathie Evans]] as "John Stubbs" (jnr); [[Tessa Randal]] as "Eliza Debnam"; [[Peter Lawton]] as "Rev. John Ayliff"; [[David Craig]] as "Captain Trappes"; [[Rosemary du Plessis]] as "Henrietta"; [[Roger Loveday]] as "[[Thomas Pringle]]"; [[Diana Sinclair]] as "Jane Dold"; [[John Gardiner]] as "John Montgomery"; [[Sue Parker]] as "Anna"; [[Paul Probert]] as "Driver". | ||
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1970: Performed again and published as part of the 150 year celebrations of the coming of the settlers. | 1970: Performed again and published as part of the 150 year celebrations of the coming of the settlers. | ||
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https://www.worldcat.org/title/take-root-or-die/oclc/116803/editions?referer=di&editionsView=true | https://www.worldcat.org/title/take-root-or-die/oclc/116803/editions?referer=di&editionsView=true | ||
| − | Christopher R. Stones. 1985. "Take Root or Die: An Exploration of Authoritarianism, the Garrison Society and the South African Context", ''The High School Journal'' (Vol. 68, No. 4), University of North Carolina Press[https://www.jstor.org/stable/40364941]. | + | [[Christopher R. Stones]]. 1985. "Take Root or Die: An Exploration of Authoritarianism, the Garrison Society and the South African Context", ''The High School Journal'' (Vol. 68, No. 4), University of North Carolina Press[https://www.jstor.org/stable/40364941]. |
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| + | [[Anthony Akerman]]. 2025. “Remembering Guy Butler, a scholar who brought literature to life”. ''Daily Maverick''. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-03-guy-butler-portrait-of-sa-playwright/ | ||
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:09, 10 December 2025
Take Root or Die is a play by Guy Butler (1918-2001)[1]
Contents
The original text
A piece about the coming of the 1820 British Settlers[2] to Southern Africa. According to Akerman, it is more of a pageant than a play and is populated by many historical characters who came out as 1820 Settlers. There are many set speeches and characters narrate rather than convey information through dramatic confrontation.
The text published by A.A. Balkema in 1970.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1966: Performed as one of the opening productions for the Rhodes University Theatre Complex in 1966. The cast consisted of: Alan Kenyon as "John Stubbs", Paddy McLelland as "Mrs Stubbs", Noël Roos as "Thomas Stubbs" and Cathie Evans as "John Stubbs" (jnr); Tessa Randal as "Eliza Debnam"; Peter Lawton as "Rev. John Ayliff"; David Craig as "Captain Trappes"; Rosemary du Plessis as "Henrietta"; Roger Loveday as "Thomas Pringle"; Diana Sinclair as "Jane Dold"; John Gardiner as "John Montgomery"; Sue Parker as "Anna"; Paul Probert as "Driver".
1970: Performed again and published as part of the 150 year celebrations of the coming of the settlers.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Butler_(poet)
https://www.worldcat.org/title/take-root-or-die/oclc/116803/editions?referer=di&editionsView=true
Christopher R. Stones. 1985. "Take Root or Die: An Exploration of Authoritarianism, the Garrison Society and the South African Context", The High School Journal (Vol. 68, No. 4), University of North Carolina Press[3].
Anthony Akerman. 2025. “Remembering Guy Butler, a scholar who brought literature to life”. Daily Maverick. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-03-guy-butler-portrait-of-sa-playwright/
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
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