Difference between revisions of "The Prisoner"
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| − | ''The Prisoner'' by Bridget Boland | + | ''[[The Prisoner]]'' is a play in three acts by Bridget Boland (1913-1988) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Boland]. |
| + | == The original text == | ||
| − | + | A play about totalitarianism, inspired by the plight of Catholic Cardinal Iozsef Mindszenty (1892—1975). It is done as a series of scenes between The Interrogator and The Prisoner, where the Prisoner is a Cardinal in the Catholic Church of a middle-European country and the Interrogator represents the totalitarian government which has taken over that country. They each respect the other, but cannot accept what the other stands for. | |
| − | + | First produced in London, 1954, and first published in Plays of the Year 10, by Elek, London, 1954 and by Dramatist's Play Service, New York, c1956. | |
| + | |||
| + | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
| − | Return to [[ | + | == Performance history in South Africa == |
| + | |||
| + | 1960: Presented by the [[University of Cape Town]]'s [[University Dramatic Society]] at the [[Little Theatre]] in July, directed by [[John Pikoulis]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1961: Staged in English by the [[National Theatre Organisation]] in the [[Alexander Theatre]] in Johannesburg, the [[National Theatre]] in Pretoria and in the [[Bellville Civic Theatre]] in the Cape. The production was directed by [[Victor Melleney]], with [[André Huguenet]] (The Prisoner), [[Arthur Hall]] (The Interrogator), [[Joe Stewardson]] (The Cell Warder), [[Danie Marais]] (A Secretary), [[Frank Wise]] (A Doctor), [[Michael Coulson]] (A Barber), [[James Christie]] (Warder) and [[Joan Lovelace]] (An Old Woman). Decor by [[Frank Graves]] and costumes by [[Doreen Graves]]. It was to be [[André Huguenet]]'s triumphant last lead role, playing the Prisoner. He committed suicide shortly after the run had ended. The next year the [[NTO]] was closed down and replaced by the four [[Performing Arts Councils]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Sources == | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Boland | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsB/boland-bridget.html | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[ESAT Bibliography I|Inskip]], 1972. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[NTO]] theatre programme, 1961. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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 09:38, 30 May 2024
The Prisoner is a play in three acts by Bridget Boland (1913-1988) [1].
Contents
The original text
A play about totalitarianism, inspired by the plight of Catholic Cardinal Iozsef Mindszenty (1892—1975). It is done as a series of scenes between The Interrogator and The Prisoner, where the Prisoner is a Cardinal in the Catholic Church of a middle-European country and the Interrogator represents the totalitarian government which has taken over that country. They each respect the other, but cannot accept what the other stands for.
First produced in London, 1954, and first published in Plays of the Year 10, by Elek, London, 1954 and by Dramatist's Play Service, New York, c1956.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1960: Presented by the University of Cape Town's University Dramatic Society at the Little Theatre in July, directed by John Pikoulis.
1961: Staged in English by the National Theatre Organisation in the Alexander Theatre in Johannesburg, the National Theatre in Pretoria and in the Bellville Civic Theatre in the Cape. The production was directed by Victor Melleney, with André Huguenet (The Prisoner), Arthur Hall (The Interrogator), Joe Stewardson (The Cell Warder), Danie Marais (A Secretary), Frank Wise (A Doctor), Michael Coulson (A Barber), James Christie (Warder) and Joan Lovelace (An Old Woman). Decor by Frank Graves and costumes by Doreen Graves. It was to be André Huguenet's triumphant last lead role, playing the Prisoner. He committed suicide shortly after the run had ended. The next year the NTO was closed down and replaced by the four Performing Arts Councils.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Boland
http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsB/boland-bridget.html
Inskip, 1972.
NTO theatre programme, 1961.
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
