Difference between revisions of "Mama and the Load"

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by [[Gibson Kente]]. (Also known by a number of varieties of the name, often simply “The Load”)  
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Hugely popular township musical by [[Gibson Kente]] (1932-2004). (Also known by a number of varieties of the name, often simply “The Load”)  
  
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Hugely popular township musical written and first performed 1979. Toured the black townships of the country for years, with up to four companies out at a time, and was the first of his plays to be noticed by the non-black press. Unpublished. ''[[Mama and the Load]]'' at [[Market Theatre]] (1981*). Performed in the Concert Hall, [[Baxter Theatre]] in 1980, directed by [[Gibson Kente]], featuring [[Seipati Sothoane]].
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==The original text==
  
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It toured the black townships of the country for years, with up to four companies out at a time. Presented at Market Theatre (1980) - dramatizations of the conflict between political pressures and family/community solidarity.
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The musical explores a mother’s commitment to the education of her children and the conflict between political pressures and family/community solidarity.
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Unpublished.
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==Translations and adaptations==
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A docu-drama, ''[[Going Back]]'', based on the musical, was produced by the [[South African Broadcasting Corporation]] [[SABC]] in 1981. [[The Congress of South African Students]] ([[COSAS]]) called for a boycott of his plays as it was unhappy that Kente was working with the (SABC) on ''[[Going Back]]''.
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==Performance history in South Africa==
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1979: First performed 1979. Toured the black townships of the country for years, with up to four companies out at a time, and was the first of his plays to be noticed by the non-black press.
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1980: Performed in the [[Concert Hall]], [[Baxter Theatre]] in 1980, directed by [[Gibson Kente]], featuring [[Seipati Sothoane]].
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1981: ''[[Mama and the Load]]'' at [[Market Theatre]].
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==Sources==
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[[Andile Xaba]]. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis.
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[[Sam Mathe]]. 'Gibson Kente: Overdue yet timeous tribute'. ''[[The Star]]''. 15 December 2017.
  
 
Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 M|M]]
 
Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 M|M]]

Latest revision as of 13:51, 1 February 2024

Hugely popular township musical by Gibson Kente (1932-2004). (Also known by a number of varieties of the name, often simply “The Load”)

The original text

The musical explores a mother’s commitment to the education of her children and the conflict between political pressures and family/community solidarity.

Unpublished.

Translations and adaptations

A docu-drama, Going Back, based on the musical, was produced by the South African Broadcasting Corporation SABC in 1981. The Congress of South African Students (COSAS) called for a boycott of his plays as it was unhappy that Kente was working with the (SABC) on Going Back.

Performance history in South Africa

1979: First performed 1979. Toured the black townships of the country for years, with up to four companies out at a time, and was the first of his plays to be noticed by the non-black press.

1980: Performed in the Concert Hall, Baxter Theatre in 1980, directed by Gibson Kente, featuring Seipati Sothoane.

1981: Mama and the Load at Market Theatre.

Sources

Andile Xaba. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis.

Sam Mathe. 'Gibson Kente: Overdue yet timeous tribute'. The Star. 15 December 2017.

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