Difference between revisions of "Les Bonnes"
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| − | '''''Les Bonnes''''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maids] (''The Maids'') is a 1947 play by the French dramatist [[Jean Genet]] (1910-1986) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Genet] | + | '''''Les Bonnes''''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maids] (''The Maids'') is a 1947 play by the French dramatist [[Jean Genet]] (1910-1986) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Genet]. |
== The original text == | == The original text == | ||
| + | |||
| + | It was first performed at the Théâtre de l'Athénée in Paris in a production that opened on 17 April 1947, which Louis Jouvet directed. A film adaptation of the play was released in 1974. Genet loosely based his play on the infamous Papin sisters, Lea and Christine, who brutally murdered their employer and her daughter in Le Mans, France, in 1933. | ||
==Translations and adaptations== | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
| − | |||
| − | [ | + | Translated into English in 1963 as ''[[The Maids]]'' by Bernard Frechtman. |
| + | |||
| + | Although the roles were written for female actors, all-male productions have successfully been staged, for example the production by [[Maralin Vanrenen]] in Cape Town in 1974 and another production in Moscow in 1992. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Translated into [[Afrikaans]] as ''[[Diensmeisies]]'' by [[Wim Vorster]]. | ||
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| − | + | 1964: [[Phoenix Players]] production, directed by [[Barney Simon]], with [[Molly Seftel]], [[Barbara Itzler]] and [[Maya Obel]] in the cast. | |
| − | + | 1964: Presented by the [[University of Cape Town]]'s Speech and Drama Department at the [[Little Theatre]] in August, directed by [[Robert Mohr]] in a double bill with ''[[Barnstable]]''. | |
| − | In | + | 1970: In July the [[Libertas Theatre Club]] presented ''[[The Maids]]'' in the [[Libertas Theatre]] in Stellenbosch, directed by [[Annelize van der Ryst]], with [[Marianne Roux]] (Claire), [[Sharon Montgomery]] (Solange) and [[Marie van Heerden]] (Madame). |
| − | + | 1972: [[PACT]] Drama staged ''[[The Maids]]'' in the [[Arena]] at the [[State Theatre]], directed by [[Barney Simon]], with [[Barbara Itzler]] (Claire), [[Molly Seftel]] (Solange) and [[Carolyn Sacks]] (credited as "Carolyne Sacks") (Madame). Designed by [[Richard Cook]] and [[Ingrid Jansen]]. This production also played at the [[Space Theatre|The Space]] in Cape Town. | |
| − | + | 1974: [[Maralin Vanrenen]] made her directing debut at the [[Space Theatre|The Space]] with the English translation, staged with an all-male cast consisting of [[Bill Curry]], [[Vincent Ebrahim]], and [[Pieter-Dirk Uys]]. It only played for Club audiences. Originally to be played in drag, but finally done without props or costumes. As a result of interest in the first drag version, the final Sunday saw the original production followed by an audience participated discussion about the differences between the two plays. | |
| − | + | 1987: Staged in the [[Windybrow Theatre]] by [[PACT]] Drama, directed by [[Bobby Heaney]], with [[Aletta Bezuidenhout]] (Solange), [[Clare Stopford]] (Claire) and [[Wilna Snyman]] (Madame). | |
| + | 1987: Directed by [[Embeth Davidtz]] as an Honours class production in August, [[Rhodes University Drama Department]]. | ||
| + | 1988: Presented by [[UCT]] Drama at the UCT Arena, 16-26 November, designed and directed by [[Geoffrey Hyland]], starring [[Damon Galgut]] (Claire), [[Barry Berk]] (Solange) and [[John Caviggia]] (Madame). | ||
| + | 198* [**?? An [[Afrikaans]] version, translated by ** as **, was done at [[Think Theatre]] (Pretoria) in 198*, directed by [[Danie Burger]]. ?**] | ||
| + | 1991: The [[Afrikaans]] translation by [[Wim Vorster]], ''[[Die Diensmeisies]]'' was presented by [[PACOFS]] at the [[National Arts Festival]] (opening 30 June) and at the [[André Huguenet Theatre]], Bloemfontein (opening 9 July), under the direction of [[Wim Vorster|Vorster]] with an all-male cast, viz. [[Hendrik Baird]], [[Christo Compion]] and [[Ernst Eloff]]. Decor design by [[Johnny Boerstoel]]. | ||
| − | Staged at [[Upstairs at the Market]], | + | 1993: Staged at [[Upstairs at the Market]], 3 June - 10 July, directed by [[Vanessa Cooke]] starring [[Matthew Krouse]], [[Robert Whitehead]] and [[Robert Colman]]. Lighting designer [[Melanie Keartland]]. |
| + | 2008: The Vorster [[Afrikaans]] translation was performed at [[KKNK]] and other festivals with --[[Nicole Holm]], [[Martelize Kolver]] and [[Petrus du Preez]]. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| − | ''Wikipedia'' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maids] | + | ''Wikipedia'' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maids]. |
| + | |||
| + | Photographs held by [[NELM]] ([[Phoenix Players]], 1964 production). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Theatre programme held by [[NELM]] (Phoenix Players): [Collection: SIMON, Barney]: 1995. 11. 19. 144. | ||
| − | [[PACT]] theatre programme, 1972. | + | [[PACT]] Drama theatre programme, 1972. |
[[ESAT Bibliography Ar-Az|Astbury]] 1979. | [[ESAT Bibliography Ar-Az|Astbury]] 1979. | ||
| − | ''PACOFS News'', 17(3), 1991. | + | [[PACT]] Drama theatre programme, 1987. |
| + | |||
| + | ''[[PACOFS]] News'', 17(3), 1991. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Ruphin Coudyzer]]. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of [[Market Theatre]] productions. (Provided by Coudyzer) | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Petru Wessels|Petru]] & [[Carel Trichardt]] theatre programme collection. | ||
| − | + | [[Beeld]], 23 Janaury 2008. | |
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:47, 23 May 2024
Les Bonnes [1] (The Maids) is a 1947 play by the French dramatist Jean Genet (1910-1986) [2].
Contents
The original text
It was first performed at the Théâtre de l'Athénée in Paris in a production that opened on 17 April 1947, which Louis Jouvet directed. A film adaptation of the play was released in 1974. Genet loosely based his play on the infamous Papin sisters, Lea and Christine, who brutally murdered their employer and her daughter in Le Mans, France, in 1933.
Translations and adaptations
Translated into English in 1963 as The Maids by Bernard Frechtman.
Although the roles were written for female actors, all-male productions have successfully been staged, for example the production by Maralin Vanrenen in Cape Town in 1974 and another production in Moscow in 1992.
Translated into Afrikaans as Diensmeisies by Wim Vorster.
Performance history in South Africa
1964: Phoenix Players production, directed by Barney Simon, with Molly Seftel, Barbara Itzler and Maya Obel in the cast.
1964: Presented by the University of Cape Town's Speech and Drama Department at the Little Theatre in August, directed by Robert Mohr in a double bill with Barnstable.
1970: In July the Libertas Theatre Club presented The Maids in the Libertas Theatre in Stellenbosch, directed by Annelize van der Ryst, with Marianne Roux (Claire), Sharon Montgomery (Solange) and Marie van Heerden (Madame).
1972: PACT Drama staged The Maids in the Arena at the State Theatre, directed by Barney Simon, with Barbara Itzler (Claire), Molly Seftel (Solange) and Carolyn Sacks (credited as "Carolyne Sacks") (Madame). Designed by Richard Cook and Ingrid Jansen. This production also played at the The Space in Cape Town.
1974: Maralin Vanrenen made her directing debut at the The Space with the English translation, staged with an all-male cast consisting of Bill Curry, Vincent Ebrahim, and Pieter-Dirk Uys. It only played for Club audiences. Originally to be played in drag, but finally done without props or costumes. As a result of interest in the first drag version, the final Sunday saw the original production followed by an audience participated discussion about the differences between the two plays.
1987: Staged in the Windybrow Theatre by PACT Drama, directed by Bobby Heaney, with Aletta Bezuidenhout (Solange), Clare Stopford (Claire) and Wilna Snyman (Madame).
1987: Directed by Embeth Davidtz as an Honours class production in August, Rhodes University Drama Department.
1988: Presented by UCT Drama at the UCT Arena, 16-26 November, designed and directed by Geoffrey Hyland, starring Damon Galgut (Claire), Barry Berk (Solange) and John Caviggia (Madame).
198* [**?? An Afrikaans version, translated by ** as **, was done at Think Theatre (Pretoria) in 198*, directed by Danie Burger. ?**]
1991: The Afrikaans translation by Wim Vorster, Die Diensmeisies was presented by PACOFS at the National Arts Festival (opening 30 June) and at the André Huguenet Theatre, Bloemfontein (opening 9 July), under the direction of Vorster with an all-male cast, viz. Hendrik Baird, Christo Compion and Ernst Eloff. Decor design by Johnny Boerstoel.
1993: Staged at Upstairs at the Market, 3 June - 10 July, directed by Vanessa Cooke starring Matthew Krouse, Robert Whitehead and Robert Colman. Lighting designer Melanie Keartland.
2008: The Vorster Afrikaans translation was performed at KKNK and other festivals with --Nicole Holm, Martelize Kolver and Petrus du Preez.
Sources
Wikipedia [3].
Photographs held by NELM (Phoenix Players, 1964 production).
Theatre programme held by NELM (Phoenix Players): [Collection: SIMON, Barney]: 1995. 11. 19. 144.
PACT Drama theatre programme, 1972.
Astbury 1979.
PACT Drama theatre programme, 1987.
PACOFS News, 17(3), 1991.
Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.
Beeld, 23 Janaury 2008.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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Return to PLAYS III: Collections
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