Difference between revisions of "Le Balcon"
| (15 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | ''''' | + | '''''Le Balcon''''' (English: ''"The Balcony"'') [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Balcony] is a play by the French dramatist [[Jean Genet]] (1910-1986). Set in an unnamed city that is experiencing a revolutionary uprising in the streets, most of the action takes place in an upmarket brothel that functions as a microcosm of the regime of the establishment under threat outside. Since Peter Zadek directed its first production at the Arts Theatre Club in London in 1957, the play has been revived frequently (in various versions) and has attracted many prominent directors, including Peter Brook, Erwin Piscator, Roger Blin, Giorgio Strehler, and JoAnne Akalaitis. It has also been adapted as a film and given operatic treatment. |
==Translations and adaptations== | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
| − | The Balcony exists in three distinct versions, published in French in 1956, 1960, and 1962. The first version consists of two acts of fifteen scenes and includes a dream sequence in which Irma's dream of three wounded young men — who personify blood, tears, and sperm — is enacted immediately before Arthur returns to the brothel and is abruptly shot. The second version is the longest and most political. The third version is shorter and reduces the political content of the scene with the café revolutionaries. [[Bernard Frechtman]]'s first English translation, '''''The Balcony''''' (published in 1958) was based on Genet's second version, while Frechtman's second, revised English translation (published in 1966) was based on Genet's third version. A translation by [[Barbara Wright]] and [[Terry Hands]], which the [[RSC]] used in its 1987 production, incorporates scenes and elements from all three versions. | + | The Balcony exists in three distinct versions, published in French in 1956, 1960, and 1962. The first version consists of two acts of fifteen scenes and includes a dream sequence in which Irma's dream of three wounded young men — who personify blood, tears, and sperm — is enacted immediately before Arthur returns to the brothel and is abruptly shot. The second version is the longest and most political. The third version is shorter and reduces the political content of the scene with the café revolutionaries. [[Bernard Frechtman]]'s first English translation, '''''The Balcony''''' (published in 1958) was based on Genet's second version, while Frechtman's second, revised English translation (published in 1966) was based on Genet's third version. A translation by [[Barbara Wright]] and [[Terry Hands]], which the [[RSC]] used in its 1987 production, incorporates scenes and elements from all three versions. (''Wikipedia'') |
| − | Translated from the English into [[Afrikaans]] by [[Herman Pretorius]] in 1990 under the title '''''Die Balkon'''''. | + | Translated from the English into [[Afrikaans]] by [[Herman Pretorius]] in 1990 under the title '''''Die Balkon'''''. |
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| + | 1988: The Frechtman English translation, ''The Balcony'', was revised by [[Mitzi Booysen]] and staged by [[PACT]], directed by [[Dieter Reible]], with [[Ronel Kriel]] (The Addict), [[Jan Mnisi]] (The Terrorist), [[James Winkler]] (Roger), [[Dan Sebogodi]] (Armand & 1st Photographer), [[Jacqui Singer]] (Chantal), [[Mitzi Booysen]] (Georgette), [[Jonathan Rands]] (The Bishop), [[Shareen Swart]] (The Bishop's Lady), [[Wilna Snyman]] (Irma), [[Hannes Muller]] (Arthur), [[Pieter Brand]] (The Judge), [[Nomhle Nkonyeni]] (The Thief), [[Michael McCabe]] (The General), [[Natania van Heerden]] (The General's Horse), [[Aletta Bezuidenhout]] (Carmen), [[Dale Cutts]] (The Chief of Police), [[Johan Scholtz]] (Luc & 2nd Photographer) and [[Bill Curry]] (The Court Envoy). Assistant Director [[Ilse van Hemert]], decor, costumes and lighting designed by [[James MacNamara]]. | ||
| − | 1990: The Pretorius Afrikaans translation was staged by the [[Universiteitsteater Stellenbosch]] in the [[H.B. Thom Theatre]] in May, directed by [[Herman Pretorius]], featuring [[Arnold Hoon]], [[Bianca Blanckenberg]], [[Tanya Swanepoel]], [[André van der Merwe]], [[Theresa van As]], [[Erik de Waal]], [[Waldemar Schultz|Waldi Schultz]] and others. | + | 1990: The Pretorius [[Afrikaans]] translation, ''Die Balkon'', was staged by the [[Universiteitsteater Stellenbosch]] in the [[H.B. Thom Theatre]] in May, directed by [[Herman Pretorius]], featuring [[Arnold Hoon]], [[Bianca Blanckenberg]], [[Tanya Swanepoel]], [[André van der Merwe]], [[Theresa van As]], [[Erik de Waal]], [[Waldemar Schultz|Waldi Schultz]] and others. |
| + | 9, 11 and 12 September 2009: Staged as [[The Balcony]] at the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]]. Starring [[Gift Buqa]] | ||
| + | == Sources == | ||
| + | ''Wikipedia'' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Balcony] | ||
| + | [[PACT]] theatre programme, 1988. | ||
| − | + | [[UTS]] theatre pamphlet | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | UTS theatre pamphlet | ||
| + | [[Petru Wessels|Petru]] & [[Carel Trichardt]] theatre programme collection. | ||
Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography|ESAT Bibliography]] | Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography|ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:22, 12 February 2022
Le Balcon (English: "The Balcony") [1] is a play by the French dramatist Jean Genet (1910-1986). Set in an unnamed city that is experiencing a revolutionary uprising in the streets, most of the action takes place in an upmarket brothel that functions as a microcosm of the regime of the establishment under threat outside. Since Peter Zadek directed its first production at the Arts Theatre Club in London in 1957, the play has been revived frequently (in various versions) and has attracted many prominent directors, including Peter Brook, Erwin Piscator, Roger Blin, Giorgio Strehler, and JoAnne Akalaitis. It has also been adapted as a film and given operatic treatment.
Translations and adaptations
The Balcony exists in three distinct versions, published in French in 1956, 1960, and 1962. The first version consists of two acts of fifteen scenes and includes a dream sequence in which Irma's dream of three wounded young men — who personify blood, tears, and sperm — is enacted immediately before Arthur returns to the brothel and is abruptly shot. The second version is the longest and most political. The third version is shorter and reduces the political content of the scene with the café revolutionaries. Bernard Frechtman's first English translation, The Balcony (published in 1958) was based on Genet's second version, while Frechtman's second, revised English translation (published in 1966) was based on Genet's third version. A translation by Barbara Wright and Terry Hands, which the RSC used in its 1987 production, incorporates scenes and elements from all three versions. (Wikipedia)
Translated from the English into Afrikaans by Herman Pretorius in 1990 under the title Die Balkon.
Performance history in South Africa
1988: The Frechtman English translation, The Balcony, was revised by Mitzi Booysen and staged by PACT, directed by Dieter Reible, with Ronel Kriel (The Addict), Jan Mnisi (The Terrorist), James Winkler (Roger), Dan Sebogodi (Armand & 1st Photographer), Jacqui Singer (Chantal), Mitzi Booysen (Georgette), Jonathan Rands (The Bishop), Shareen Swart (The Bishop's Lady), Wilna Snyman (Irma), Hannes Muller (Arthur), Pieter Brand (The Judge), Nomhle Nkonyeni (The Thief), Michael McCabe (The General), Natania van Heerden (The General's Horse), Aletta Bezuidenhout (Carmen), Dale Cutts (The Chief of Police), Johan Scholtz (Luc & 2nd Photographer) and Bill Curry (The Court Envoy). Assistant Director Ilse van Hemert, decor, costumes and lighting designed by James MacNamara.
1990: The Pretorius Afrikaans translation, Die Balkon, was staged by the Universiteitsteater Stellenbosch in the H.B. Thom Theatre in May, directed by Herman Pretorius, featuring Arnold Hoon, Bianca Blanckenberg, Tanya Swanepoel, André van der Merwe, Theresa van As, Erik de Waal, Waldi Schultz and others.
9, 11 and 12 September 2009: Staged as The Balcony at the Port Elizabeth Opera House. Starring Gift Buqa
Sources
Wikipedia [2]
PACT theatre programme, 1988.
UTS theatre pamphlet
Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to B in Plays II Foreign Plays
Return to South_African_Theatre/Plays
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
