Difference between revisions of "Demea"
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| − | + | ''[[Demea]]'' is a play by [[Guy Butler]] (1918-2001). | |
| − | Return to [[ | + | '''See also the entry under ''[[Medea]]''''' |
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| + | == The original text == | ||
| + | |||
| + | Written in 1959, the play was first performed in 1990. Because of the racist laws the play set out to critique, Butler had to wait 30 years for a production. It is based on ''[[Medea]]'', and is a political allegory of Apartheid South African at the height of 'Verwoedian mania'. Characters from the original Greek drama are given re-imagined names: 'Jason' becomes 'Jonas', 'Medea' becomes 'Demea' and 'Creon' becomes 'Kroon'. The play is set in the late 1820s. | ||
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| + | Published by [[David Philip]], 1990. | ||
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| + | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1990: Produced at the [[National Arts Festival]] and the [[Alexander Theatre]], directed by [[Dieter Reible]]. Decor by [[Lindy Roberts]]. The cast included [[Nomsa Xaba]] as Demea, [[Louis van Niekerk]] as Kroon, [[Graham Hopkins]] as Jonas Barker, [[Dale Cutts]] (Fitzwilliam), [[Peter Se-Puma]] (Agaan), [[Christopher Wells]], [[Bill Curry]], [[Ulrich Dupont]] and members of the [[PACT]] Company. Designer [[Lindy Roberts]], lighting designer [[Paul Pamboukian]]. | ||
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| + | 2007: Produced by students of the [[University of the Free State]] Drama Department, [[Scaena Theatre]], directed by [[Leendert de Jager]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Sources == | ||
| + | |||
| + | Butler, Guy. 1990. ''Demea: a play''. David Philip: Cape Town & Johannesburg. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''[[Beeld]]'', 19 Jul 1990, | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''[[The Star]]'', 30 July 1990, | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''[[Volksblad]]'', 4 June 2007. | ||
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| + | [[National Arts Festival]] programme, 1990. | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://ibali.uct.ac.za/s/RETAGS/item/7397 | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[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|South African Festivals and Competitions]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | ||
Return to [[Main Page]] | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:46, 10 December 2025
Demea is a play by Guy Butler (1918-2001).
See also the entry under Medea
Contents
The original text
Written in 1959, the play was first performed in 1990. Because of the racist laws the play set out to critique, Butler had to wait 30 years for a production. It is based on Medea, and is a political allegory of Apartheid South African at the height of 'Verwoedian mania'. Characters from the original Greek drama are given re-imagined names: 'Jason' becomes 'Jonas', 'Medea' becomes 'Demea' and 'Creon' becomes 'Kroon'. The play is set in the late 1820s.
Published by David Philip, 1990.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1990: Produced at the National Arts Festival and the Alexander Theatre, directed by Dieter Reible. Decor by Lindy Roberts. The cast included Nomsa Xaba as Demea, Louis van Niekerk as Kroon, Graham Hopkins as Jonas Barker, Dale Cutts (Fitzwilliam), Peter Se-Puma (Agaan), Christopher Wells, Bill Curry, Ulrich Dupont and members of the PACT Company. Designer Lindy Roberts, lighting designer Paul Pamboukian.
2007: Produced by students of the University of the Free State Drama Department, Scaena Theatre, directed by Leendert de Jager.
Sources
Butler, Guy. 1990. Demea: a play. David Philip: Cape Town & Johannesburg.
Beeld, 19 Jul 1990,
The Star, 30 July 1990,
Volksblad, 4 June 2007.
National Arts Festival programme, 1990.
https://ibali.uct.ac.za/s/RETAGS/item/7397
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
Return to Main Page
