The Cure

The Cure is the name given to two plays performed in South Africa

The Cure by an unknown author

The original text

Possibly a version of Kill or Cure, a popular farce in one act by Charles Dance (1794-1863)? This was first performed at the Olympic theatre, Monday, October 29th, 1832 and published in London by J. Miller, 1834.

Performance history in South Africa

1862: Performed in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town on 23 September by the Cape Town Dramatic Club, with Still Waters Run Deep (), performed jointly as the Cape Town and Royal Alfred Dramatic Club.

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 162

The Cure by Athol Fugard and the Serpent Players (1960s)

The original text

An adaptation of La Mandragola by Niccolò Machiavelli, with the text adapted by Fugard and further improvised by the newly formed Serpent Players, the action being moved to a township setting in the Eastern Cape. Rehearsals were held in the snake pit in the old museum building in Bird Street, Port Elizabeth.

Performance history in South Africa

196?: The play was the company's first production, done in in a room in the old museum building in Bird Street, Port Elizabeth.

1971: Performed by the Serpent Players, including John Kani, Winston Ntshona and Nomhle Nkonyeni in Grahamstown in September 1971

Sources

NELM catalogue.

EP Herald, 6 June 2006.

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