Difference between revisions of "How Long?"
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| − | + | ''[[How Long?]]'' is a musical play by [[Gibson Kente]] (1932-2004) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Kente]. | |
| − | ( | ||
| + | Several sources list the title simply as ''[[How Long]]''. | ||
| − | + | Updated as ''[[How Long 2]]'' in 2002. | |
| − | Return to [[ | + | == The original text == |
| + | |||
| + | Written and first performed in 1973, it is a melodramatic musical play with political undertones in the township style, it is based on a tale about the death of Khulu, a helpless grandmother, through brutal police action and apartheid bureaucracy. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Kente wrote the play as a response to pressure from [[Black Consciousness]] structures, which demanded that all cultural work needed to reflect the material conditions of Black people in South Africa. The play forms part of a trilogy, the only political plays written by Kente. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Because of its popularity among the black masses when performed in the township halls, the play was later banned and Kente was imprisoned when an attempt was made to film the play in 1976. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Translations and adaptations == | ||
| + | |||
| + | A film version was attempted in 1976. Kente and filmmaker [[Thomas Mogotlane]] were arrested while filming in King Williams Town. It was subsequently confiscated by the police/banned and Kente imprisoned for several months. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''[[How Long 2]]'' (produced in 2002), was an updated version of the original play where the characters face challenges of poverty, unemployment, crime, HIV/AIDS and child abuse. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Performances == | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1973: Performed by Kente's own company and taken on tour, starring [[Dambisa Kente]], [[Peter Se-Puma]] and others. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 2018: Performed by the [[Playhouse Company]], in the [[Playhouse Theatre|Playhouse Opera]] from 5 to 27 May, directed by [[Duma Ndlovu]] with choreography by [[Somizi Mhlongo]] and musical direction by [[Phelelani Mnomiya]]. The cast includes [[Thembi Mtshali]], [[Phindile Gwala]], [[Khaya Dladla]], [[Mondli Makhoba]] and [[Nqobile Ndlovu]]. The production included a six-piece band and 13-piece orchestra ensemble | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Sources == | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Kente | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Copy Dog Editorial Enterprises]]. 2018. "Playhouse revives Kente's musical drama ''How Long?''", [[Artslink]][http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=43559] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Sydney Paul Gosher]]. 1988. ''A Historical and Critical Survey of the South African One-Act Play Written in English'', Unpublished D.Litt. et Phil. Thesis, University of South Africa. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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 12:12, 9 February 2024
How Long? is a musical play by Gibson Kente (1932-2004) [1].
Several sources list the title simply as How Long.
Updated as How Long 2 in 2002.
The original text
Written and first performed in 1973, it is a melodramatic musical play with political undertones in the township style, it is based on a tale about the death of Khulu, a helpless grandmother, through brutal police action and apartheid bureaucracy.
Kente wrote the play as a response to pressure from Black Consciousness structures, which demanded that all cultural work needed to reflect the material conditions of Black people in South Africa. The play forms part of a trilogy, the only political plays written by Kente.
Because of its popularity among the black masses when performed in the township halls, the play was later banned and Kente was imprisoned when an attempt was made to film the play in 1976.
Translations and adaptations
A film version was attempted in 1976. Kente and filmmaker Thomas Mogotlane were arrested while filming in King Williams Town. It was subsequently confiscated by the police/banned and Kente imprisoned for several months.
How Long 2 (produced in 2002), was an updated version of the original play where the characters face challenges of poverty, unemployment, crime, HIV/AIDS and child abuse.
Performances
1973: Performed by Kente's own company and taken on tour, starring Dambisa Kente, Peter Se-Puma and others.
2018: Performed by the Playhouse Company, in the Playhouse Opera from 5 to 27 May, directed by Duma Ndlovu with choreography by Somizi Mhlongo and musical direction by Phelelani Mnomiya. The cast includes Thembi Mtshali, Phindile Gwala, Khaya Dladla, Mondli Makhoba and Nqobile Ndlovu. The production included a six-piece band and 13-piece orchestra ensemble
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Kente
Copy Dog Editorial Enterprises. 2018. "Playhouse revives Kente's musical drama How Long?", Artslink[2]
Sydney Paul Gosher. 1988. A Historical and Critical Survey of the South African One-Act Play Written in English, Unpublished D.Litt. et Phil. Thesis, University of South Africa.
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.
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
