Difference between revisions of "The Cure"
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==The original text== | ==The original text== | ||
| − | + | If [[F.C.L. Bosman]] (1980, pp 131, 161) is to be believed, this is most likely to be a reference to '''''[[A Perfect Cure]]''''', a little known play in one act by William Sapte, Jr. (fl. late 1800s), which was apparently performed in Cape Town by [[Clara Tellett]] (fl. mid 19th century) under both titles in 1862. Bosman possibly took this information from adverts, reviews or the acting [[Clara Tellett]]'s company's documentation, but there is some doubt about the veracity of the information, for the sources consulted seem to suggest that the play in question may only date from the 1890s. The likely answer is that the play performed was actually the better known play called '''''[[A Cure for the Heartache]]''''' (Morton). | |
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| + | It is possible that may actually be a renamed/wrongly named (and shortened?) version of '''''[[A Cure for the Heartache]]''''' a comedy, in five acts by Thomas Morton (1764-1838)[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Morton_(playwright)]. First performed at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden on 10 January 1797 and printed by P. Wogan,1797, it was vastly popular in Cape Town over the course of the 19th century. | ||
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| + | However, it ''could'' also be a version of any other of the numerous plays containing the terms "the cure" or "a cure" written in the 19th century. A possibility for example would be '''''[[Kill or Cure]]''''', a popular farce in one act by Charles Dance (1794-1863)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dance_(playwright)], first performed at the Olympic theatre, Monday, October 29th, 1832 and published in London by J. Miller, 1834. | ||
==Translations and adaptations== | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
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[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp. 162 | [[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp. 162 | ||
| − | =''[[The Cure]]'' by [[Athol Fugard]] and the [[Serpent Players]] ( | + | =''[[The Cure]]'' by [[Athol Fugard]] and the [[Serpent Players]] (1968)= |
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== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| − | + | Circa 1962: The play was the company's first production, done in in a room in the old museum building in Bird Street, Port Elizabeth. | |
| + | |||
| + | 1970: Performed by the [[Serpent Players]] on tour as a double bill with ''[[Friday's Bread on Monday]]'', ''inter alia'' playing in the [[St Stephen's Church Hall]], Port Elizabeth. | ||
1971: Performed by the [[Serpent Players]], including [[John Kani]], [[Winston Ntshona]] and [[Nomhle Nkonyeni]] in Grahamstown in September 1971 | 1971: Performed by the [[Serpent Players]], including [[John Kani]], [[Winston Ntshona]] and [[Nomhle Nkonyeni]] in Grahamstown in September 1971 | ||
Latest revision as of 07:10, 4 May 2024
The Cure is the name given to two plays performed in South Africa
Contents
The Cure by an unknown author
The original text
If F.C.L. Bosman (1980, pp 131, 161) is to be believed, this is most likely to be a reference to A Perfect Cure, a little known play in one act by William Sapte, Jr. (fl. late 1800s), which was apparently performed in Cape Town by Clara Tellett (fl. mid 19th century) under both titles in 1862. Bosman possibly took this information from adverts, reviews or the acting Clara Tellett's company's documentation, but there is some doubt about the veracity of the information, for the sources consulted seem to suggest that the play in question may only date from the 1890s. The likely answer is that the play performed was actually the better known play called A Cure for the Heartache (Morton).
It is possible that may actually be a renamed/wrongly named (and shortened?) version of A Cure for the Heartache a comedy, in five acts by Thomas Morton (1764-1838)[1]. First performed at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden on 10 January 1797 and printed by P. Wogan,1797, it was vastly popular in Cape Town over the course of the 19th century.
However, it could also be a version of any other of the numerous plays containing the terms "the cure" or "a cure" written in the 19th century. A possibility for example would be Kill or Cure, a popular farce in one act by Charles Dance (1794-1863)[2], first performed at the Olympic theatre, Monday, October 29th, 1832 and published in London by J. Miller, 1834.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1862: Performed as The Cure (author unnamed) in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town on 23 September by the jointly as the Cape Town and Royal Alfred Dramatic Club, with Still Waters Run Deep (Taylor), the latter play performed by the Cape Town Dramatic Club alone.
Sources
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/102295541
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 162
The Cure by Athol Fugard and the Serpent Players (1968)
The original text
An adaptation of La Mandragola by Niccolò Machiavelli, with the text adapted by Fugard and further improvised by the newly formed Serpent Players, the action being moved to a township setting in the Eastern Cape. Rehearsals were held in the snake pit in the old museum building in Bird Street, Port Elizabeth.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
Circa 1962: The play was the company's first production, done in in a room in the old museum building in Bird Street, Port Elizabeth.
1970: Performed by the Serpent Players on tour as a double bill with Friday's Bread on Monday, inter alia playing in the St Stephen's Church Hall, Port Elizabeth.
1971: Performed by the Serpent Players, including John Kani, Winston Ntshona and Nomhle Nkonyeni in Grahamstown in September 1971
Sources
NELM catalogue.
EP Herald, 6 June 2006.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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