Difference between revisions of "The Parents"
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==The original text== | ==The original text== | ||
| − | Written in 1966, it was | + | A play about a homosexual couple - a surgeon and an actor - who dream about the son they could never have. He is of course to be perfect, physically beautiful and a fine cultured person who is interested in the arts and theatre. Then they find a motorcyclist after an accident who is the physical counterpart of their dream. They take him into their home, but reality is nothing like the dream. |
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| + | Written in 1966, it was Fourie's first attempt at a serious drama after ''[[Tjaka]]'', and was written in English because of the gay theme, since he felt [[Afrikaans]] theatregoers were not ready to accept such a play yet. Indeed [[Niel le Roux]] called it the first South African drama written about gay issues, or at the very least the first such play in [[Afrikaans]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The text was never published. | ||
==Translations and adaptations== | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
| − | In 1984 | + | In 1984 Fourie reworked it in [[Afrikaans]] as '''''[[Beeld van 'n Seun]]''''' ("Image of a boy") for performance at the [[ATKV Kampustoneel]] in 1985. This too has never been published. |
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| − | 1980: Performed by the [[People's Space]], directed by [[Henry Goodman]], with [[Gabrielle Lomberg]], [[Paul Malherbe]] and [[Sean Taylor]]. | + | 1980: Performed by the [[People's Space]], directed by [[Henry Goodman]], with [[Robert del Kyrke]], [[Gabrielle Lomberg]], [[Paul Malherbe]] and [[Sean Taylor]]. Design by [[Bee Berman]] and [[Anton Johnson]], costumes by [[Birrie le Roux]], lighting by [[Nic Fine]] and stage management by [[Ilse Dahms]]. |
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
[[Nico Luwes]] 2010. ''[[Pieter Fourie]] (1940-) se bydrae as Afrikaanse dramaturg en kunsbestuurder: 1965-2010''. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Bloemfontein: University of the Free State, pp.147, [http://etd.uovs.ac.za/ETD-db//theses/available/etd-08102012-152250/unrestricted/LuwesNJ.pdf] | [[Nico Luwes]] 2010. ''[[Pieter Fourie]] (1940-) se bydrae as Afrikaanse dramaturg en kunsbestuurder: 1965-2010''. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Bloemfontein: University of the Free State, pp.147, [http://etd.uovs.ac.za/ETD-db//theses/available/etd-08102012-152250/unrestricted/LuwesNJ.pdf] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Photocopy of the programme for the English production at [[The People's Space]] (), held in the [[PARC]] research collection at the [[Africa Open Institute]], Stellenbosch. | ||
''[[Mooi Maria]]'' theatre programme, 1981. | ''[[Mooi Maria]]'' theatre programme, 1981. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:23, 4 February 2026
The Parents is an English play by Pieter Fourie (1940-2021)
Contents
The original text
A play about a homosexual couple - a surgeon and an actor - who dream about the son they could never have. He is of course to be perfect, physically beautiful and a fine cultured person who is interested in the arts and theatre. Then they find a motorcyclist after an accident who is the physical counterpart of their dream. They take him into their home, but reality is nothing like the dream.
Written in 1966, it was Fourie's first attempt at a serious drama after Tjaka, and was written in English because of the gay theme, since he felt Afrikaans theatregoers were not ready to accept such a play yet. Indeed Niel le Roux called it the first South African drama written about gay issues, or at the very least the first such play in Afrikaans.
The text was never published.
Translations and adaptations
In 1984 Fourie reworked it in Afrikaans as Beeld van 'n Seun ("Image of a boy") for performance at the ATKV Kampustoneel in 1985. This too has never been published.
Performance history in South Africa
1980: Performed by the People's Space, directed by Henry Goodman, with Robert del Kyrke, Gabrielle Lomberg, Paul Malherbe and Sean Taylor. Design by Bee Berman and Anton Johnson, costumes by Birrie le Roux, lighting by Nic Fine and stage management by Ilse Dahms.
Sources
Nico Luwes 2010. Pieter Fourie (1940-) se bydrae as Afrikaanse dramaturg en kunsbestuurder: 1965-2010. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Bloemfontein: University of the Free State, pp.147, [1]
Photocopy of the programme for the English production at The People's Space (), held in the PARC research collection at the Africa Open Institute, Stellenbosch.
Mooi Maria theatre programme, 1981.
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