Difference between revisions of "Brer Rabbit"
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''[[Brer Rabbit]]'' is a dramatisation by [[Craig Higginson]] and [[Gina Shmukler]] of the Brer Rabbit trickster tales [https://www.britannica.com/art/trickster-tale]. It draws its inspiration from the 19th century journalist Joel Chandler Harris's assortment of folk tales. | ''[[Brer Rabbit]]'' is a dramatisation by [[Craig Higginson]] and [[Gina Shmukler]] of the Brer Rabbit trickster tales [https://www.britannica.com/art/trickster-tale]. It draws its inspiration from the 19th century journalist Joel Chandler Harris's assortment of folk tales. | ||
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| + | ==The original text== | ||
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| + | The play is a dramatisation by [[Craig Higginson]] and [[Gina Shmukler]] of the [[Brer Rabbit]] trickster tales [https://www.britannica.com/art/trickster-tale], first popularised by the 19th century journalist Joel Chandler Harris's assortment of folk tales. | ||
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| + | The American character known as [[Br'er Rabbit]] (or [[Brer Rabbit]], an abbreviation of Brother Rabbit) in fact derives from the oral tradition passed down by African-Americans of the Southern United States and is portrayed as a trickster figure who succeeds by his wits rather than by brawn. Quite probably inspired by similar trickster figures in Africa, particularly the hare that figures prominently in the storytelling traditions in West, Central, and Southern Africa.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%27er_Rabbit] | ||
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== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
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2009: Produced at the [[Market Theatre]], directed by [[Gina Shmukler]]. Cast: [[Ilse Klink]] (Brer Wolf/Mr Man), [[Nkoto Malebye]] (Brer Bear.Turtle/Wild Cat), [[Thembisa Mdoda]] (Brer Fox/Moon/Aunt Mommy-Bammy Big Money), [[Khutjo Mmola]] (Brer Turtle/Five Wild Cat Kittens), [[Sivan Raphaely]] (Brer Rabbit), [[Nobumtu Sizolibusa]] (Mother Rabbit/Miss Meadows) and [[Charl-Johan Lingenfelder]] as the music director and composer. | 2009: Produced at the [[Market Theatre]], directed by [[Gina Shmukler]]. Cast: [[Ilse Klink]] (Brer Wolf/Mr Man), [[Nkoto Malebye]] (Brer Bear.Turtle/Wild Cat), [[Thembisa Mdoda]] (Brer Fox/Moon/Aunt Mommy-Bammy Big Money), [[Khutjo Mmola]] (Brer Turtle/Five Wild Cat Kittens), [[Sivan Raphaely]] (Brer Rabbit), [[Nobumtu Sizolibusa]] (Mother Rabbit/Miss Meadows) and [[Charl-Johan Lingenfelder]] as the music director and composer. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
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| + | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%27er_Rabbit | ||
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| + | https://www.britannica.com/art/trickster-tale | ||
[[Ruphin Coudyzer]]. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of [[Market Theatre]] productions. (Provided by Coudyzer) | [[Ruphin Coudyzer]]. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of [[Market Theatre]] productions. (Provided by Coudyzer) | ||
Revision as of 06:40, 26 March 2024
Brer Rabbit is a dramatisation by Craig Higginson and Gina Shmukler of the Brer Rabbit trickster tales [1]. It draws its inspiration from the 19th century journalist Joel Chandler Harris's assortment of folk tales.
The original text
The play is a dramatisation by Craig Higginson and Gina Shmukler of the Brer Rabbit trickster tales [2], first popularised by the 19th century journalist Joel Chandler Harris's assortment of folk tales.
The American character known as Br'er Rabbit (or Brer Rabbit, an abbreviation of Brother Rabbit) in fact derives from the oral tradition passed down by African-Americans of the Southern United States and is portrayed as a trickster figure who succeeds by his wits rather than by brawn. Quite probably inspired by similar trickster figures in Africa, particularly the hare that figures prominently in the storytelling traditions in West, Central, and Southern Africa.[3]
Performance history in South Africa
2009: Produced at the Market Theatre, directed by Gina Shmukler. Cast: Ilse Klink (Brer Wolf/Mr Man), Nkoto Malebye (Brer Bear.Turtle/Wild Cat), Thembisa Mdoda (Brer Fox/Moon/Aunt Mommy-Bammy Big Money), Khutjo Mmola (Brer Turtle/Five Wild Cat Kittens), Sivan Raphaely (Brer Rabbit), Nobumtu Sizolibusa (Mother Rabbit/Miss Meadows) and Charl-Johan Lingenfelder as the music director and composer.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%27er_Rabbit
https://www.britannica.com/art/trickster-tale
Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
Theatre programme, production information and other material held by NELM.
Sunday Independent, 1 November 2009.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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