Difference between revisions of "Bopha!"
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| − | ''[[Bopha!]]'' ("arrested") is the name of a play by [[Percy Mtwa]] (1953-), as well as the name of an American film based on the play. | + | ''[[Bopha!]]'' (also ''[[Bopha]]'') ("arrested") is the name of a play by [[Percy Mtwa]] (1953-), as well as the name of an American film based on the play. |
| − | = The stage play = | + | = ''[[Bopha!]]'': The stage play = |
A play about family strife and loyalties during the 1970-1980 troubles, it tells the story of a son, whose father is a policeman working for the oppressors, while he is an activist involved in the anti-apartheid struggle. | A play about family strife and loyalties during the 1970-1980 troubles, it tells the story of a son, whose father is a policeman working for the oppressors, while he is an activist involved in the anti-apartheid struggle. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The play premiered at the [[Market Theatre]] in September 1985, and proceeded to a national and international tour that included Swaziland, Scotland, England, USA, and Australia, finally being performed in 1987 at the Los Angeles International Festival, where the play became recipient of five Drama Critic Circle Awards for Best Play, Best Director and Best Actor for each of the three actors. | ||
First published in [[D. Ndlovu]] (ed) ''[[Woza Afrika! An Anthology of South African Plays]]'' by [[Braziller]], 1986. | First published in [[D. Ndlovu]] (ed) ''[[Woza Afrika! An Anthology of South African Plays]]'' by [[Braziller]], 1986. | ||
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In 1986 a TV documentary was made of the staged version of ''[[Bopha!]]'', narrated by Sidney Poitier. | In 1986 a TV documentary was made of the staged version of ''[[Bopha!]]'', narrated by Sidney Poitier. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In 1993, the play was adapted into a Hollywood film, and filmed as [[Morgan Freeman]]'s directorial debut. | ||
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| − | 1985: First performed in the [[Laager]] at The [[Market Theatre]] as a [[Market Theatre]] and [[Earth Players]] collaboration in | + | 1985: First performed in the [[Laager]] at The [[Market Theatre]] as a [[Market Theatre]] and [[Earth Players]] collaboration in September 1985, directed by [[Percy Mtwa]], with [[Aubrey Radebe]], [[Aubrey Moalosi Molefe]], [[Sydney Khumalo]]. |
1986: Performed in the [[Baxter Theatre]] in 1986, directed by [[Percy Mtwa]], starring [[Aubrey Radebe]], [[Aubrey Moalosi Molefe]], [[Sydney Khumalo]]. | 1986: Performed in the [[Baxter Theatre]] in 1986, directed by [[Percy Mtwa]], starring [[Aubrey Radebe]], [[Aubrey Moalosi Molefe]], [[Sydney Khumalo]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1986: Presented at [[Eyethu Cinema]] with the original cast before they left to perform in Scotland. The production was also presented as part of ''[[Dramfes '86]]''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1989: A revival production with the original cast was presented at the [[DOCC]]. | ||
2012: Performed in the ''[[Soweto Theatre]]'' as part of the [[Arts Alive Festival|Joburg Arts Alive International Festival]], Johannesburg. Directed by [[James Ngcobo]] with [[Siyabonga Twala]], [[Samson Khumalo]], [[Dom Gumede]] and [[Thabo Rametsi]] | 2012: Performed in the ''[[Soweto Theatre]]'' as part of the [[Arts Alive Festival|Joburg Arts Alive International Festival]], Johannesburg. Directed by [[James Ngcobo]] with [[Siyabonga Twala]], [[Samson Khumalo]], [[Dom Gumede]] and [[Thabo Rametsi]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | = The film version = | + | 2021: Performed at the ''[[South African State Theatre]]'', Pretoria, from 25 May to 13 June, directed by [[Percy Mtwa]], with [[Bheki Mkhwane]], [[Tshallo Chokwe]] and [[Terrence Ngwila]]. |
| + | |||
| + | = ''[[Bopha!]]'': The film version = | ||
| − | In 1993 a film version of ''[[Bopha!]]'' was produced by Arsenio Hall Communications, based on Mtwa's play, with a screenplay by Brian Bird and John Wierick. It was directed by Morgan Freeman with ''inter alia'' Danny Glover, Malcolm McDonald, Alfre Woodard, [[Marius Weyers]] and [[Sello Maake ka Ncube]]. | + | In 1993 a film version of ''[[Bopha!]]'' was produced by Arsenio Hall Communications, based on Mtwa's play, with a screenplay by Brian Bird and John Wierick. It was directed by Morgan Freeman with ''inter alia'' Danny Glover, Malcolm McDonald, Alfre Woodard, [[Marius Weyers]] and [[Sello Maake ka Ncube]]. Other South African actors include [[Robin Smith]], |
= Sources = | = Sources = | ||
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http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2012/August/arts%20alive_event%20programme_2012%20%20.pdf | http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2012/August/arts%20alive_event%20programme_2012%20%20.pdf | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Percy Mtwa Restages Bopha!", press release [[South African State Theatre]] (April 13, 2021), ''[[Artslink]]''[https://www.newslink.co.za/2021/04/13/percy-mtwa-restages-bopha/] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Ruphin Coudyzer]]. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of [[Market Theatre]] productions. (Provided by Coudyzer) | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[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. | ||
= Return to = | = Return to = | ||
Latest revision as of 12:47, 31 January 2024
Bopha! (also Bopha) ("arrested") is the name of a play by Percy Mtwa (1953-), as well as the name of an American film based on the play.
Contents
Bopha!: The stage play
A play about family strife and loyalties during the 1970-1980 troubles, it tells the story of a son, whose father is a policeman working for the oppressors, while he is an activist involved in the anti-apartheid struggle.
The play premiered at the Market Theatre in September 1985, and proceeded to a national and international tour that included Swaziland, Scotland, England, USA, and Australia, finally being performed in 1987 at the Los Angeles International Festival, where the play became recipient of five Drama Critic Circle Awards for Best Play, Best Director and Best Actor for each of the three actors.
First published in D. Ndlovu (ed) Woza Afrika! An Anthology of South African Plays by Braziller, 1986.
Translations and adaptations
In 1986 a TV documentary was made of the staged version of Bopha!, narrated by Sidney Poitier.
In 1993, the play was adapted into a Hollywood film, and filmed as Morgan Freeman's directorial debut.
Performance history in South Africa
1985: First performed in the Laager at The Market Theatre as a Market Theatre and Earth Players collaboration in September 1985, directed by Percy Mtwa, with Aubrey Radebe, Aubrey Moalosi Molefe, Sydney Khumalo.
1986: Performed in the Baxter Theatre in 1986, directed by Percy Mtwa, starring Aubrey Radebe, Aubrey Moalosi Molefe, Sydney Khumalo.
1986: Presented at Eyethu Cinema with the original cast before they left to perform in Scotland. The production was also presented as part of Dramfes '86.
1989: A revival production with the original cast was presented at the DOCC.
2012: Performed in the Soweto Theatre as part of the Joburg Arts Alive International Festival, Johannesburg. Directed by James Ngcobo with Siyabonga Twala, Samson Khumalo, Dom Gumede and Thabo Rametsi
2021: Performed at the South African State Theatre, Pretoria, from 25 May to 13 June, directed by Percy Mtwa, with Bheki Mkhwane, Tshallo Chokwe and Terrence Ngwila.
Bopha!: The film version
In 1993 a film version of Bopha! was produced by Arsenio Hall Communications, based on Mtwa's play, with a screenplay by Brian Bird and John Wierick. It was directed by Morgan Freeman with inter alia Danny Glover, Malcolm McDonald, Alfre Woodard, Marius Weyers and Sello Maake ka Ncube. Other South African actors include Robin Smith,
Sources
Barrow, Brian & Williams-Short, Yvonne (eds.). 1988. Theatre Alive! The Baxter Story 1977-1987.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211970/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_2
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106464/?ref_=nm_knf_i1
http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2012/August/arts%20alive_event%20programme_2012%20%20.pdf
"Percy Mtwa Restages Bopha!", press release South African State Theatre (April 13, 2021), Artslink[1]
Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
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.
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 South_African_Films
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
