Difference between revisions of "Sophiatown"
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| − | ''[[Sophiatown]]'' can refer to the famous '''freehold area''' of that name in Johannesburg, | + | ''[[Sophiatown]]'' can refer to the famous '''freehold area''' of that name in Johannesburg, which features in many novels, stories, plays, flms and so on. Or it can refer to an improvised '''play''' about the area (also referred to as '''''[[Sophiatown the Musical]]''''') or to '''''[[Sophiatown: Blues for Mandela ]]''''', a documentary '''film'''. |
=[[Sophiatown]] - the area= | =[[Sophiatown]] - the area= | ||
| − | + | ==The history== | |
| − | '''[[ | + | [[Sophiatown]] (sometimes referred to as '''[[Kofifi]]''' in urban slang) was founded in 1900 and was the closest place to the Johannesburg city centre occupied by black South Africans for much of the early 20th century. What made it particularly significant was that it was a freehold area, where all races could live and/or interact, and soon became a home to writers, journalists, artists, politicians – notably serving as the black intellectual heart of the city. Shebeens played a prominent part in this (the 39 Steps and The Back o' the Moon]] for example) and the area also housed two cinemas, [[The Odin]] and [[Balansky's]], the former also used for political meetings and stage performances over the years. |
| − | + | It was the first area to be targeted by the Nationalist Government for the removals instigated under the [[Apartheid]] policies they had introduced. | |
| − | + | =[[Sophiatown]] on stage and film= | |
| − | ''[[Back of the Moon]]'' (Gibson, 2019) | + | '''[[Sophiatown]]''', its features and its history have been the theme and setting of a large number of books, novels, plays and films, among the dramatised stage and film versions: |
| + | |||
| + | '''Among the more prominent are:''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''[[Come Back, Africa]]''''' (an underground film by Lionel Rogosin, 1959) | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''[[Freedom Square and Back of the Moon]]''''' (a film by Gibson and Kentridge, 1986) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''[[Sophiatown]]'' (a play, [[Junction Avenue Theatre]], 1986) | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''[[The Suit]]''''' (a play by Mothobi Mutloatse and Barney Simon, based on the short story by Can Themba, 1994) | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''[[The Suit]]''''' (a dance version choreographed by [[Sbonakaliso Ndaba]] and [[Boyzie Cekwana]], 2002) | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''[[Sophiatown: Blues for Mandela]]''''' (a documentary film by [[Pascale Lamche]], (2004) | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''[[Drum]]''''' (a film, 2004) | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''[[Crepuscule]]''''' (a dramatisation of a [[Can Themba]] short story by [[Khayelihle Dom Gumede]], 2012) | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''[[The Suit]]''''' (a short film version of the Themba story by [[Jarryd Coetsee]], 2016 ) | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''[[Back of the Moon]]''''' (a film, 2019) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Sources== | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/sophiatown | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophiatown | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ulf Hannerz. 1994. "[[Sophiatown]]. The View from Afar". ''[[Journal of Southern African Studies]]'' 20/2: pp.181-193. | ||
=''[[Sophiatown]]'' - the play= | =''[[Sophiatown]]'' - the play= | ||
| Line 25: | Line 55: | ||
== The original text == | == The original text == | ||
| − | First published as a single text in 1994, then republished with other plays in 1995 by [[David Philip]] and also in the collection ''[[At | + | First published as a single text in 1994, then republished with other plays in 1995 by [[David Philip]] and also in the collection ''[[At the Junction: Four Plays by the Junction Avenue Theatre Company]]'' by [[Wits University Press]]. Included (as ''[[Sophiatown!]]'') in [[David Graver]]'s collection ''[[Drama for a New South Africa]]'' (Indiana University Press). |
==Translations and adaptations== | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
| Line 31: | Line 61: | ||
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| − | 1986: First performed at the [[Market Theatre]], Johannesburg on 18 February 1986, a [[Junction Avenue Theatre Company]] production directed by [[Malcolm Purkey]], with sets designed by [[Sarah Roberts]] and [[William Kentridge]] and poster by Kentridge, starring [[Ramolao Makhene]], [[Arthur Molepo]], [[Megan Kruskal]] and [[Minky Schlesinger]]. The play quickly transferred to the [[Grahamstown Festival]] and went on to a phenomenally successful run over the next number of years, winning numerous awards and touring internationally. [[Doreen Mazibuko]] also joined the production, as well as [[Gladys Mothlale]] and [[Madidi Maphoto]]. [[Siphiwe Khumalo]]. | + | 1986: First performed at the [[Market Theatre]], Johannesburg on 18 February 1986, a [[Junction Avenue Theatre Company]] production directed by [[Malcolm Purkey]], with sets designed by [[Sarah Roberts]] and [[William Kentridge]] and poster by Kentridge, starring [[Ramolao Makhene]], [[Patrick Shai]],[[Arthur Molepo]], [[Megan Kruskal]], and [[Minky Schlesinger]]. The play quickly transferred to the [[Grahamstown Festival]] and went on to a phenomenally successful run over the next number of years, winning numerous awards and touring internationally. [[Doreen Mazibuko]] also joined the production, as well as [[Gladys Mothlale]] and [[Madidi Maphoto]]. [[Siphiwe Khumalo]]. Feb 1986 - A play |
| − | + | ||
March 21 -31, 1990: Presented by [[PEMADS]] in collaboration with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs and performed at the Ford [[Little Theatre]] in Port Elizabeth. Directed by [[Natania Kleinhans]]. Starring [[Winston Soya]] as Jakes, [[Monty Jola]] as Mingus, [[Walter Gunguluza]] as Mr Fahfee, [[Siphokazi Majodina]] as Lulu, [[Judith Ngwenda]] as Mamariti, [[Vuyokazi Matambeka]] as Princess, [[Mariette du Toit]] as Ruth Golden, and [[Elroy Bramwell]] as Charlie. [[Wella Matomela]] was the Penny Whistler and [[Tando Nobadula]] and [[Buzwe Lisa]] were the dice players. | March 21 -31, 1990: Presented by [[PEMADS]] in collaboration with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs and performed at the Ford [[Little Theatre]] in Port Elizabeth. Directed by [[Natania Kleinhans]]. Starring [[Winston Soya]] as Jakes, [[Monty Jola]] as Mingus, [[Walter Gunguluza]] as Mr Fahfee, [[Siphokazi Majodina]] as Lulu, [[Judith Ngwenda]] as Mamariti, [[Vuyokazi Matambeka]] as Princess, [[Mariette du Toit]] as Ruth Golden, and [[Elroy Bramwell]] as Charlie. [[Wella Matomela]] was the Penny Whistler and [[Tando Nobadula]] and [[Buzwe Lisa]] were the dice players. | ||
| − | 1994: In a production at the [[Market Theatre]], Jakes was played by [[Patrick Shai]], also starring [[Yael Farber]], [[Ramolao Makhene]] and [[Arthur Molepo]] as Mingus. | + | 1994: In a production at the [[Market Theatre]], directed by [[Malcolm Purkey]]. Jakes was played by [[Patrick Shai]], also starring [[Yael Farber]], [[Ramolao Makhene]], [[Daphney Hlomuka]], [[Thulani Nyembe]], [[Nandi Nyembe]], [[Nkhensani Manganyi]] and [[Arthur Molepo]] as Mingus. |
1996: [[Rhodes University Drama Department]] production directed by [[Andrew Buckland]], in May 1996, including [[Yael de Jong]] as Ruth and [[Shane Manilal]] as Mingus. | 1996: [[Rhodes University Drama Department]] production directed by [[Andrew Buckland]], in May 1996, including [[Yael de Jong]] as Ruth and [[Shane Manilal]] as Mingus. | ||
| + | 2005: Directed: [[Malcolm Purkey]]. Cast: [[Arthur Molepo]] (Mingus), [[Sello Sebotsane]] (Fahfee), [[Siyabonga Twala]] (Jakes), [[Lucia Mthinyane]] (Princess), [[Nandi Nyembe]] (Mama), [[Wayne Van Rooyen]] (Charlie), [[Nobulali Dangazele]] (Lali), [[Ahley Harvey]] (Ruth) at the [[Market Theatre]] | ||
| + | |||
2016: A new production staged at the [[Market Theatre]] opening 30 March, directed by [[Malcolm Purkey]]. [[Sarah Roberts]] designed the costumes and sets for this production and [[Arthur Molepo]] is the musical director. It was part of the celebrations surrounding the 40th anniversary of the [[Market Theatre]] | 2016: A new production staged at the [[Market Theatre]] opening 30 March, directed by [[Malcolm Purkey]]. [[Sarah Roberts]] designed the costumes and sets for this production and [[Arthur Molepo]] is the musical director. It was part of the celebrations surrounding the 40th anniversary of the [[Market Theatre]] | ||
| Line 45: | Line 77: | ||
2018: The play was performed as '''''[[Sophiatown the Musical]]''''' at the [[South African State Theatre]], Pretoria, from 13 April to 13 May. Directed by [[Aubrey Sekhabi]] with [[Thabiso Tshabalala]] ("Jakes"), [[Caitlin Clerk]] ("Ruth"), [[Terrence Ignacious Ngwila]] ("Mingus"), [[Kenneth Mlambo]] ("Fahfee"), [[Simphiwe Ndlovu]] ("Princess"), [[Madge Kola]] ("Mamariti"), [[Zamah Ngubane]] ("Lulu") and [[Bongani Masango]] ("Charlie"). The technical crew consisted of [[Zakhele Mabena]] (Musical Director), [[Bafikile Sedibe]] (Choreographer), [[Mandla Mtshali]] (Lighting Designer), [[Lungile Cindi]] (Costume and Set Designer), [[Irene Mathe]] (Senior Stage Manager and Costume Designer), [[Kea Moeketsane]] (Assistant Director) and [[Busisiwe Masemola]] (Costume Coordinator/ Dresser). | 2018: The play was performed as '''''[[Sophiatown the Musical]]''''' at the [[South African State Theatre]], Pretoria, from 13 April to 13 May. Directed by [[Aubrey Sekhabi]] with [[Thabiso Tshabalala]] ("Jakes"), [[Caitlin Clerk]] ("Ruth"), [[Terrence Ignacious Ngwila]] ("Mingus"), [[Kenneth Mlambo]] ("Fahfee"), [[Simphiwe Ndlovu]] ("Princess"), [[Madge Kola]] ("Mamariti"), [[Zamah Ngubane]] ("Lulu") and [[Bongani Masango]] ("Charlie"). The technical crew consisted of [[Zakhele Mabena]] (Musical Director), [[Bafikile Sedibe]] (Choreographer), [[Mandla Mtshali]] (Lighting Designer), [[Lungile Cindi]] (Costume and Set Designer), [[Irene Mathe]] (Senior Stage Manager and Costume Designer), [[Kea Moeketsane]] (Assistant Director) and [[Busisiwe Masemola]] (Costume Coordinator/ Dresser). | ||
| − | == Sources | + | =''[[Sophiatown: Blues for Mandela]]'', the film (2004)= |
| + | |||
| + | = Sources = | ||
''[[Sophiatown]]'' theatre programme, 1986. | ''[[Sophiatown]]'' theatre programme, 1986. | ||
Photograph (1986 production) held by [[NELM]]: NELM Location: Photograph collection [Collection: JUNCTION AVENUE THEATRE COMPANY]: 2016. 293. 6. | Photograph (1986 production) held by [[NELM]]: NELM Location: Photograph collection [Collection: JUNCTION AVENUE THEATRE COMPANY]: 2016. 293. 6. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Ruphin Coudyzer]]. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of [[Market Theatre]] productions. (Provided by Coudyzer) | ||
''[[Sophiatown]]'' original Pemads theatre programme, 1990. | ''[[Sophiatown]]'' original Pemads theatre programme, 1990. | ||
| Line 64: | Line 100: | ||
[[Edward Tsumele]]. 2017. "''[[Sophiatown]]'' not just song and dance about nostalgia", ''[[Business Day]]'', 20 April 2017[https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/business-day/20170420/281818578708772] | [[Edward Tsumele]]. 2017. "''[[Sophiatown]]'' not just song and dance about nostalgia", ''[[Business Day]]'', 20 April 2017[https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/business-day/20170420/281818578708772] | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://thetvdb.com/series/the-passionate-eye/episodes/5514908 | ||
| Line 69: | Line 107: | ||
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
| − | + | = Return to = | |
Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]] | Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:43, 12 June 2024
Sophiatown can refer to the famous freehold area of that name in Johannesburg, which features in many novels, stories, plays, flms and so on. Or it can refer to an improvised play about the area (also referred to as Sophiatown the Musical) or to Sophiatown: Blues for Mandela , a documentary film.
Contents
Sophiatown - the area
The history
Sophiatown (sometimes referred to as Kofifi in urban slang) was founded in 1900 and was the closest place to the Johannesburg city centre occupied by black South Africans for much of the early 20th century. What made it particularly significant was that it was a freehold area, where all races could live and/or interact, and soon became a home to writers, journalists, artists, politicians – notably serving as the black intellectual heart of the city. Shebeens played a prominent part in this (the 39 Steps and The Back o' the Moon]] for example) and the area also housed two cinemas, The Odin and Balansky's, the former also used for political meetings and stage performances over the years.
It was the first area to be targeted by the Nationalist Government for the removals instigated under the Apartheid policies they had introduced.
Sophiatown on stage and film
Sophiatown, its features and its history have been the theme and setting of a large number of books, novels, plays and films, among the dramatised stage and film versions:
Among the more prominent are:
Come Back, Africa (an underground film by Lionel Rogosin, 1959)
Freedom Square and Back of the Moon (a film by Gibson and Kentridge, 1986)
Sophiatown (a play, Junction Avenue Theatre, 1986)
The Suit (a play by Mothobi Mutloatse and Barney Simon, based on the short story by Can Themba, 1994)
The Suit (a dance version choreographed by Sbonakaliso Ndaba and Boyzie Cekwana, 2002)
Sophiatown: Blues for Mandela (a documentary film by Pascale Lamche, (2004)
Drum (a film, 2004)
Crepuscule (a dramatisation of a Can Themba short story by Khayelihle Dom Gumede, 2012)
The Suit (a short film version of the Themba story by Jarryd Coetsee, 2016 )
Back of the Moon (a film, 2019)
Sources
https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/sophiatown
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophiatown
Ulf Hannerz. 1994. "Sophiatown. The View from Afar". Journal of Southern African Studies 20/2: pp.181-193.
Sophiatown - the play
Also referred to as Sophiatown: The Musical in some cases.
The original play
An influential workshop play about Sophiatown, it was devised by the cast under the guidance of director Malcolm Purkey and first performed the cast.
Based on a true prank in which Nat Nakasa and Lewis Nkosi had advertised in Drum magazine for a Jewish girl to come and stay with them in Sophiatown. The play deals with the “what if” of this situation, and setting it in a household representative of a spectrum of township dwellers, a microcosm of the Sophiatown milieu of the 1950s as seen from the perspective of the 1980s.
The original text
First published as a single text in 1994, then republished with other plays in 1995 by David Philip and also in the collection At the Junction: Four Plays by the Junction Avenue Theatre Company by Wits University Press. Included (as Sophiatown!) in David Graver's collection Drama for a New South Africa (Indiana University Press).
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1986: First performed at the Market Theatre, Johannesburg on 18 February 1986, a Junction Avenue Theatre Company production directed by Malcolm Purkey, with sets designed by Sarah Roberts and William Kentridge and poster by Kentridge, starring Ramolao Makhene, Patrick Shai,Arthur Molepo, Megan Kruskal, and Minky Schlesinger. The play quickly transferred to the Grahamstown Festival and went on to a phenomenally successful run over the next number of years, winning numerous awards and touring internationally. Doreen Mazibuko also joined the production, as well as Gladys Mothlale and Madidi Maphoto. Siphiwe Khumalo. Feb 1986 - A play
March 21 -31, 1990: Presented by PEMADS in collaboration with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs and performed at the Ford Little Theatre in Port Elizabeth. Directed by Natania Kleinhans. Starring Winston Soya as Jakes, Monty Jola as Mingus, Walter Gunguluza as Mr Fahfee, Siphokazi Majodina as Lulu, Judith Ngwenda as Mamariti, Vuyokazi Matambeka as Princess, Mariette du Toit as Ruth Golden, and Elroy Bramwell as Charlie. Wella Matomela was the Penny Whistler and Tando Nobadula and Buzwe Lisa were the dice players.
1994: In a production at the Market Theatre, directed by Malcolm Purkey. Jakes was played by Patrick Shai, also starring Yael Farber, Ramolao Makhene, Daphney Hlomuka, Thulani Nyembe, Nandi Nyembe, Nkhensani Manganyi and Arthur Molepo as Mingus.
1996: Rhodes University Drama Department production directed by Andrew Buckland, in May 1996, including Yael de Jong as Ruth and Shane Manilal as Mingus.
2005: Directed: Malcolm Purkey. Cast: Arthur Molepo (Mingus), Sello Sebotsane (Fahfee), Siyabonga Twala (Jakes), Lucia Mthinyane (Princess), Nandi Nyembe (Mama), Wayne Van Rooyen (Charlie), Nobulali Dangazele (Lali), Ahley Harvey (Ruth) at the Market Theatre
2016: A new production staged at the Market Theatre opening 30 March, directed by Malcolm Purkey. Sarah Roberts designed the costumes and sets for this production and Arthur Molepo is the musical director. It was part of the celebrations surrounding the 40th anniversary of the Market Theatre
2017: The 2016 production was revived at the Market Theatre by Purkey, with a cast that consisted of: Arthur Zitha (as "Fahfee"), Barileng Malebye ("Princess"), Christine van Hees ("Ruth Golden"), Hlengiwe Lushaba ("Madlala Mama"), Joel Zuma ("Charlie"), Sandile Dlangalele ("Mingus"), Sechaba Ramphele ("Jakes") and Tshepiso Tracey Tshabalala ("Lulu").
2018: The play was performed as Sophiatown the Musical at the South African State Theatre, Pretoria, from 13 April to 13 May. Directed by Aubrey Sekhabi with Thabiso Tshabalala ("Jakes"), Caitlin Clerk ("Ruth"), Terrence Ignacious Ngwila ("Mingus"), Kenneth Mlambo ("Fahfee"), Simphiwe Ndlovu ("Princess"), Madge Kola ("Mamariti"), Zamah Ngubane ("Lulu") and Bongani Masango ("Charlie"). The technical crew consisted of Zakhele Mabena (Musical Director), Bafikile Sedibe (Choreographer), Mandla Mtshali (Lighting Designer), Lungile Cindi (Costume and Set Designer), Irene Mathe (Senior Stage Manager and Costume Designer), Kea Moeketsane (Assistant Director) and Busisiwe Masemola (Costume Coordinator/ Dresser).
Sophiatown: Blues for Mandela, the film (2004)
Sources
Sophiatown theatre programme, 1986.
Photograph (1986 production) held by NELM: NELM Location: Photograph collection [Collection: JUNCTION AVENUE THEATRE COMPANY]: 2016. 293. 6.
Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
Sophiatown original Pemads theatre programme, 1990.
Loren Kruger. 1999. The Drama of South Africa: Plays, Pageants and Publics Since 1910. Routledge: pp.96-7.
Junction Avenue Theatre Company website
Sunday Times, 17 April 1994.
Financial Mail, 24 March 2016.
South African State Theatre, "Sophiatown the Musical only at the State Theatre", Artslink (04/04/2018)[1]
Edward Tsumele. 2017. "Sophiatown not just song and dance about nostalgia", Business Day, 20 April 2017[2]
https://thetvdb.com/series/the-passionate-eye/episodes/5514908
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
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