Difference between revisions of "Pula"
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| − | ''[[Pula]] | + | ''[[Pula]]'' (1981) is a play by [[Matsemela Manaka]] (1955-1998). |
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| + | Also found as ''[[Pula: A Prayer for Rain]]'' | ||
== The original text == | == The original text == | ||
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A four-hander, but with twelve parts, the play comprises four movements, each revealing a different aspect of the demoralization of the black man in South Africa, and uses dance, chanting and physical tableaux, as well as verbal elements. ''[[Pula]]'' was conceived and developed by [[Matsemela Manaka]] in collaboration with his theatre group, the [[Soyikwa Players]]. | A four-hander, but with twelve parts, the play comprises four movements, each revealing a different aspect of the demoralization of the black man in South Africa, and uses dance, chanting and physical tableaux, as well as verbal elements. ''[[Pula]]'' was conceived and developed by [[Matsemela Manaka]] in collaboration with his theatre group, the [[Soyikwa Players]]. | ||
| − | Published in ''[[Market Plays]]'' (ed [[Stephen Gray]]) by [[Ad Donker]], in 1986. Also published by [[Skotaville Publishers]] in 1990. | + | Published in ''[[Market Plays]]'' (ed [[Stephen Gray]]) by [[Ad Donker]], in 1986. Also published by [[Skotaville Publishers]] in 1990. Also published in ''[[Beyond the Echoes of Soweto: Five Plays by Matsemela Manaka]]'' (edited by [[Geoffrey V. Davis]], 1997). |
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
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1982: The play was presented at the [[Black Chain Hall]] in Diepkloof, Soweto by [[Soyikwa Players|Soyikwa African Theatre]] in February 1982. It transferred to the [[Nunnery]] in Johannesburg in March 1982 and also played at the [[Donaldson Orlando Community Centre]] (DOCC). It ran at the [[Laager]] from 2 August 1982 under Manaka's direction with the following cast: [[Ronnie Mkwanazi]], [[Danny Moitse]], [[David Sebe]], and [[Makarious Sebe]]. | 1982: The play was presented at the [[Black Chain Hall]] in Diepkloof, Soweto by [[Soyikwa Players|Soyikwa African Theatre]] in February 1982. It transferred to the [[Nunnery]] in Johannesburg in March 1982 and also played at the [[Donaldson Orlando Community Centre]] (DOCC). It ran at the [[Laager]] from 2 August 1982 under Manaka's direction with the following cast: [[Ronnie Mkwanazi]], [[Danny Moitse]], [[David Sebe]], and [[Makarious Sebe]]. | ||
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| + | 1984: Performed by [[Ronnie Mkhwanazi]], [[Makarios Sebe]], [[Danny Moitse]] and [[David Sebe]] at the [[Funda Centre]] in Soweto. | ||
2004: Staged in the [[Sanlam Studio Theatre]] at the [[Baxter Theatre]] in February 2004, directed by [[Tshamano Sebe]], with [[Mbulelo Grootboom]], [[Phikolomzi Magongoma]], [[Andile Nebulane]] and [[Thembinkosi Njokweni]]. | 2004: Staged in the [[Sanlam Studio Theatre]] at the [[Baxter Theatre]] in February 2004, directed by [[Tshamano Sebe]], with [[Mbulelo Grootboom]], [[Phikolomzi Magongoma]], [[Andile Nebulane]] and [[Thembinkosi Njokweni]]. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Geoffrey V. Davis]] (ed.). 1997. ''Beyond the Echoes of Soweto, Five Plays by [[Matsemela Manaka]]''. The Netherlands: Harwood. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Geoffrey V. Davis]] 2003. ''Voices of Justice and Reason: Apartheid and Beyond in South African Literature''. Amsterdam: Rodopi. | ||
[[Stephen Gray]] (ed.). 1986. ''[[Market Plays]]''. [[AD Donker]]. | [[Stephen Gray]] (ed.). 1986. ''[[Market Plays]]''. [[AD Donker]]. | ||
| − | Gosher, | + | [[Sydney Paul Gosher]]. 1988. ''A Historical and Critical Survey of the South African One-act Play Written in English''. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Pretoria: [[University of South Africa]]. |
| + | |||
| + | [[Andile Xaba]]. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
== Return to == | == Return to == | ||
| − | |||
| − | Return to [[ | + | Return to [[South_African_Films]] |
| + | |||
| + | 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|South African Festivals and Competitions]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Radio/Plays|South African Radio Plays and Serials]] | ||
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| + | Return to [[South_African_Television/Plays|South African Television Plays and Series]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Venues,_Companies,_Societies,_etc]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | ||
Return to [[Main Page]] | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:55, 31 October 2026
Pula (1981) is a play by Matsemela Manaka (1955-1998).
Also found as Pula: A Prayer for Rain
The original text
A four-hander, but with twelve parts, the play comprises four movements, each revealing a different aspect of the demoralization of the black man in South Africa, and uses dance, chanting and physical tableaux, as well as verbal elements. Pula was conceived and developed by Matsemela Manaka in collaboration with his theatre group, the Soyikwa Players.
Published in Market Plays (ed Stephen Gray) by Ad Donker, in 1986. Also published by Skotaville Publishers in 1990. Also published in Beyond the Echoes of Soweto: Five Plays by Matsemela Manaka (edited by Geoffrey V. Davis, 1997).
Performance history in South Africa
From 1981 to 1984, various versions of Pula were presented in Johannesburg. Prior to its premiere, Soyikwa rehearsed and improvised for a year and a half.
1982: The play was presented at the Black Chain Hall in Diepkloof, Soweto by Soyikwa African Theatre in February 1982. It transferred to the Nunnery in Johannesburg in March 1982 and also played at the Donaldson Orlando Community Centre (DOCC). It ran at the Laager from 2 August 1982 under Manaka's direction with the following cast: Ronnie Mkwanazi, Danny Moitse, David Sebe, and Makarious Sebe.
1984: Performed by Ronnie Mkhwanazi, Makarios Sebe, Danny Moitse and David Sebe at the Funda Centre in Soweto.
2004: Staged in the Sanlam Studio Theatre at the Baxter Theatre in February 2004, directed by Tshamano Sebe, with Mbulelo Grootboom, Phikolomzi Magongoma, Andile Nebulane and Thembinkosi Njokweni.
Sources
Geoffrey V. Davis (ed.). 1997. Beyond the Echoes of Soweto, Five Plays by Matsemela Manaka. The Netherlands: Harwood.
Geoffrey V. Davis 2003. Voices of Justice and Reason: Apartheid and Beyond in South African Literature. Amsterdam: Rodopi.
Stephen Gray (ed.). 1986. Market Plays. AD Donker.
Sydney Paul Gosher. 1988. A Historical and Critical Survey of the South African One-act Play Written in English. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Pretoria: University of South Africa.
Andile Xaba. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to South_African_Films
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 Radio Plays and Serials
Return to South African Television Plays and Series
Return to South_African_Venues,_Companies,_Societies,_etc
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
