Momotarō

Momotarō (桃太郎, "Peach Boy")

Also found as Momotaro.

The original story

Momotarō the name given to a popular hero of Japanese folklore. The name has been used as the title of various books, films and other works about this hero over the years. The story has been translated into English many times, the first seemingly one called "The Adventures of Little Peachling" that appeared in Tales of Old Japan by A.B. Mitford (1871).

Translations and adaptations

The basic tale was adapted for the stage as a short Afrikaans play in 6 scenes, titled Momotaro, Die Perskekind (lit. "Momotaro, the peach child") by Louise Bekker, for performance by the primary education students of the Stellenbosch Drama Department as an examination piece in 1961. In the handwritten text and the subsequent programme it is referred to as a Chinese tale, and was staged using Chinese costumes and Chinese dances.

A handwritten and ring-bound copy of the Afrikaans directing-text was donated to the Stellenbosch Drama Department library. This also contains stage manager and marketing notes, publicity photographs, set and costume designs and other material. A copy of the typed text used by the lighting prompt is also part of the donation, as well as a copy of the programme. The production was examined by W.J. du P. Erlank and his wife, as well as the lecturers in the Department.

Performance history in South Africa

1961: Momotaro, Die Perskekind performed by the primary education students of the Stellenbosch Drama Department in the Hollandse Saal in the Drama Building in Andringa Street, Stellenbosch on 25 October, at 16h00. Directed by Maretha Potgieter with a cast that included Lona Viviers, Louise Bekker, Suzón Rossouw, Maretha Potgieter, Trudie Kok, Marie Pentz, Riëtte Zulch, Elma van Wyk, Lona Viviers, Franz Marx and Wendy Shaw. The technical crew consisted of the cast members, in addition to Emile Aucamp, who was responsible for lighting. The students staging the production were supervised by staff members Marguerite de Villiers (direction), Fred Engelen (decor), Tine Balder (make-up), Esther van Ryswyk (costumes) and Gisela Taeger (chinese dances).

Sources

Momotarō in Wikipedia[1].

The 1961 handwritten and ring-bound original copy of Momotaro, Die Perskekind, found in the Stellenbosch Drama Department archives in 2022.

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