Burning Bright

Based on the experimental play/novella Burning Bright by John Steinbeck, a play written in novel format. "Rather than providing only the dialogue and brief stage directions as would be expected in a play, Steinbeck fleshes out the scenes with details of both the characters and the environment"[1].

Performance history in South Africa

The Reps staged a production of this play in 1962 with Israeli Albert Ninio directing Gordon Mulholland. The play's name comes from The Tyger, a poem by William Blake about the "wonder of the creation". Steinbeck, like Blake, "pondered on man's finiteness in a boundless universe and found his answer in the creative richness of love: in man's capacity for good" (according to the programme of the production of 1962). The play was described as a "modern morality play, a parable told through four symbolic characters: husband, wife, friend and intruder" (Programme 1962). The play moves through three backgrounds namely a circus, a farm and on board a ship. The cast consisted of Gordon Mulholland (Joe Saul), Simon Swindell (Friend Ed), Marijke Haakman (Mordeen) and Michael McGovern (Victor). Decor by Roy Cooke. Stage Manager: Norman Kelly-Harde. Asst. Stage Manager: Garth Scott.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_Bright

Alexander Theatre programme of January 1962, No. 156.

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