Can't Pay? Won't Pay!

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• Non si paga! Non si paga!

Non si paga! Non si paga! ("Can't Pay! Won't Pay!") is a farce by Dario Fo (1926-)

The original text

Written in Italian in 1974, titled Non si paga! Non si paga!

The original text

Translated into English as Can't Pay? Won't Pay! by Lino Pertile (*), then adapted for performance by Bill Colvill and Robert Walker, The San Francisco Mime Troupe and Sam Smiley.

Translation into English, published by Methuen, 1987.

Translations and adaptations

Can't pay? won't pay! translated by Lino Pertile; adapted by Bill Colvill and Robert Walker; introduced by Stuart Hood and Franca Rame. Translation and adaptation of: Non si paga, non si paga! This adaptation was commissioned by Omega Stage and first presented at the Criterion Theatre, London on July 15, 1981. Previously published under title: We can’t pay? we won’t pay!

Performance history in South Africa

1982: Performed at the People's Space, Cape Town, opening on 19 January.

1982: Performed Upstairs at the Market, opening 22 March and directed by Dieter Reible.

1993: Produced as Can't Pay? Won't Pay! by CAPAB Drama, opening 21 August at the Nico Arena directed by Mavis Taylor, set design by Keith Anderson, lighting design by Jack Arnott. The cast: Camilla Waldman (Antonia), Jamie Bartlett (Giovanni), Anthony Bishop (Luigi), Gail Reagon (Margherita), Peter Butler (Sergeant, Inspector, Undertaker, Old Man).

1993: Performed at the National Arts Festival Fringe, directed by Warren Nebe. It was performed by a predominantly deaf cast using sign language.

Sources

1789 programme, 1981.

Market Theatre Annual Report 1983.

Can't Pay? Won't Pay! programme, 1993

Stellenbosch University Library Catalogue.

National Arts Festival programme, 1993. 173.

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