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”) 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 Unpublished.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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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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==The original text==
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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Unpublished.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.
  
 
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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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