Difference between revisions of "Mr Paljas"
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| − | + | ''[[Mr Paljas]]'' is a stage musical by [[Harry Bloom]] with lyrics by [[Beryl Bloom]] and music by [[Stanley Glasser]] (1926-2018). | |
| − | Return to [[ | + | ''Not to be confused with the [[Afrikaans]] film '''[[Paljas]]''''' |
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| + | ==Original text== | ||
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| + | ''Mr Paljas'' is a musical whose action is located in a village of the Western Cape coast. According to [[Chris Albertyn]]'s post on the blogspot ''[[ElectricJive]]''[http://electricjive.blogspot.com], the piece tells the "musical story of dwindling fish stocks, lonely wives, and ‘bergies’ (tramps) being appointed to run the Village Management Board. The tramps start levying outrageous taxes on the villagers so they can build a ‘lighthouse in the sky’".[http://electricjive.blogspot.com/2009/10/blue-notes-1962-go-musical-mr-paljas.html] | ||
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| + | (The word [[paljas]] means "jester", "buffoon" or "[[clown]]" in [[Dutch]] and [[Afrikaans]]. It can also be used as a verb, meaning "to cast a spell".) | ||
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| + | ==Performance history in South Africa== | ||
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| + | 1962: The musical had its first stage performance under the auspices of [[Union Artists]], opening at the [[Labia Theatre]] in Cape Town on 12 January with an "all-coloured" cast of 30, directed by [[Fred Engelen]]. Among the cast members were [[Danny Joseph]] ("Mr Paljas"), [[Maud Damons]], [[Thandie Klaasen]], [[Gerry Arendse]] and [[Colenso Mama]].[https://warrenludskimusicscene.com/2022/01/12/mr-paljas-the-ground-breaking-cape-town-musical-few-can-remember/]. Though the piece opened in the Labia to some acclaim, the later run in community halls on the Cape Flats received little attention. | ||
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| + | In the same year, the sound track was recorded by Gallotone (GALP 1207) on Vinyl as an LP album at Manley van Niekerk Studios, Cape Town and printed by Record Pac. Directed by [[Stanley Glasser]] and designby David Marais, with an orchestra that included musicians Dudu Pukwana, Nick Peterson, Cornelius Kumalo, Joe Mal, Columbus Joya, Chris McGregor, Blyth Mbityana and Dennis Mpali. | ||
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| + | ==Sources== | ||
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| + | https://www.discogs.com/release/7868638-Various-Mr-Paljas | ||
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| + | http://electricjive.blogspot.com/2009/10/blue-notes-1962-go-musical-mr-paljas.html | ||
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| + | https://warrenludskimusicscene.com/2022/01/12/mr-paljas-the-ground-breaking-cape-town-musical-few-can-remember/ | ||
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| + | Denis-Constant Martin. 2013. Sounding the Cape Music, Identity and Politics in South Africa. African Minds. | ||
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| + | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
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| + | == Return to == | ||
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| + | Return to [[South_African_Films]] | ||
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| + | Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]] | ||
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| + | 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 [[The ESAT Entries]] | ||
Return to [[Main Page]] | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:07, 2 July 2025
Mr Paljas is a stage musical by Harry Bloom with lyrics by Beryl Bloom and music by Stanley Glasser (1926-2018).
Not to be confused with the Afrikaans film Paljas
Original text
Mr Paljas is a musical whose action is located in a village of the Western Cape coast. According to Chris Albertyn's post on the blogspot ElectricJive[1], the piece tells the "musical story of dwindling fish stocks, lonely wives, and ‘bergies’ (tramps) being appointed to run the Village Management Board. The tramps start levying outrageous taxes on the villagers so they can build a ‘lighthouse in the sky’".[2]
(The word paljas means "jester", "buffoon" or "clown" in Dutch and Afrikaans. It can also be used as a verb, meaning "to cast a spell".)
Performance history in South Africa
1962: The musical had its first stage performance under the auspices of Union Artists, opening at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town on 12 January with an "all-coloured" cast of 30, directed by Fred Engelen. Among the cast members were Danny Joseph ("Mr Paljas"), Maud Damons, Thandie Klaasen, Gerry Arendse and Colenso Mama.[3]. Though the piece opened in the Labia to some acclaim, the later run in community halls on the Cape Flats received little attention.
In the same year, the sound track was recorded by Gallotone (GALP 1207) on Vinyl as an LP album at Manley van Niekerk Studios, Cape Town and printed by Record Pac. Directed by Stanley Glasser and designby David Marais, with an orchestra that included musicians Dudu Pukwana, Nick Peterson, Cornelius Kumalo, Joe Mal, Columbus Joya, Chris McGregor, Blyth Mbityana and Dennis Mpali.
Sources
https://www.discogs.com/release/7868638-Various-Mr-Paljas
http://electricjive.blogspot.com/2009/10/blue-notes-1962-go-musical-mr-paljas.html
Denis-Constant Martin. 2013. Sounding the Cape Music, Identity and Politics in South Africa. African Minds.
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 The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
