Difference between revisions of "Born in the RSA"
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| − | + | A multilingual, workshopped play (styled a "docudrama") by [[Barney Simon]] and cast. | |
| + | == The original text == | ||
| − | + | A drama based on a series of interconnecting monologues, developed by the [[Market Theatre Company]] in Johannesburg in response to the declaration of a State of Emergency by then President P.W. Botha in July 1985, it presents a cross-section of characters living in South Africa during that time, at the height of the final struggle between the oppositional forces and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid Apartheid] government. The play presents the audience with their various testimonies – both personal and societal or national – and the resulting contacts and conflicts with the South African context of the 1980s. | |
| − | + | ||
| + | Originally created and rehearsed by Barney Simon with the original cast of [[Fiona Ramsay]], [[Terry Norton]], [[Vanessa Cooke]], [[Neil McCarthy]], [[Timmy Kwebulana]], [[Thoko Ntshinga]] and [[Gcina Mhlope]], during July and august 1985. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The production was first staged at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1985, and went on to tour England and the US to great acclaim. First published [[D. Ndlovu]] (ed) ''[[Woza Afrika! An anthology of South African Plays]]'' ([[Braziller]], 1986), then later in also in Kani ''[[More Market Plays]]'' ([[Ad Donker]], 1996) and in ''[[Simon et al: Born in the RSA - Four Workshopped Plays]]'' ([[Witwatersrand University Press]], 1997). | ||
==Translations and adaptations== | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | 1985: First performed [[Market Theatre|Upstairs]] at the Market in August 1985 before moving to the main theatre where it opened on 18 September. Set and costume design by [[Sarah Roberts]], lighting design by [[Mannie Manim]]. | |
| + | |||
| + | 1985-6: Went on to tour in England and the US to great acclaim. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1986: The same production was performed at the [[Baxter Theatre]] in 1986. Set design by [[Sarah Roberts]], lighting design by [[Mannie Manim]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 2015: Performed by the [[Baxter Theatre Company]] at the [[Grahamstown Festival|National Arts Festival]] ([[Graeme College]], 2-4 July) and at the [[Baxter Theatre Centre]], directed by [[Thoko Ntshinga]] with [[Faniswa Yisa]], [[Roeline Daneel]], [[Vakalisi 'Dobs' Madotyeni]], [[Emily Child]], [[Francis Chouler]] and [[Zanele Radu]]. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
''Born in the RSA'' theatre programme, 1985. | ''Born in the RSA'' theatre programme, 1985. | ||
| + | ''AfricaWide'' database: ''Born in the RSA'': a docu-drama: contact sheets of the cast in the American production of the play by Barney Simon and Vanessa Cooke, Timmy Kewbulana, Neil McCarthy, Gcina Mhlope, Terry Norton, Thoko Ntshinga, and Fiona Ramsay, directed by Barney Simon for the Market Theatre in [1986], including Neil McCarthy, Vanessa Cooke and Erica Rogers amongst others. | ||
== Return to == | == Return to == | ||
Revision as of 05:56, 28 May 2015
A multilingual, workshopped play (styled a "docudrama") by Barney Simon and cast.
Contents
The original text
A drama based on a series of interconnecting monologues, developed by the Market Theatre Company in Johannesburg in response to the declaration of a State of Emergency by then President P.W. Botha in July 1985, it presents a cross-section of characters living in South Africa during that time, at the height of the final struggle between the oppositional forces and the Apartheid government. The play presents the audience with their various testimonies – both personal and societal or national – and the resulting contacts and conflicts with the South African context of the 1980s.
Originally created and rehearsed by Barney Simon with the original cast of Fiona Ramsay, Terry Norton, Vanessa Cooke, Neil McCarthy, Timmy Kwebulana, Thoko Ntshinga and Gcina Mhlope, during July and august 1985.
The production was first staged at the Market Theatre in 1985, and went on to tour England and the US to great acclaim. First published D. Ndlovu (ed) Woza Afrika! An anthology of South African Plays (Braziller, 1986), then later in also in Kani More Market Plays (Ad Donker, 1996) and in Simon et al: Born in the RSA - Four Workshopped Plays (Witwatersrand University Press, 1997).
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1985: First performed Upstairs at the Market in August 1985 before moving to the main theatre where it opened on 18 September. Set and costume design by Sarah Roberts, lighting design by Mannie Manim.
1985-6: Went on to tour in England and the US to great acclaim.
1986: The same production was performed at the Baxter Theatre in 1986. Set design by Sarah Roberts, lighting design by Mannie Manim.
2015: Performed by the Baxter Theatre Company at the National Arts Festival (Graeme College, 2-4 July) and at the Baxter Theatre Centre, directed by Thoko Ntshinga with Faniswa Yisa, Roeline Daneel, Vakalisi 'Dobs' Madotyeni, Emily Child, Francis Chouler and Zanele Radu.
Sources
Born in the RSA theatre programme, 1985.
AfricaWide database: Born in the RSA: a docu-drama: contact sheets of the cast in the American production of the play by Barney Simon and Vanessa Cooke, Timmy Kewbulana, Neil McCarthy, Gcina Mhlope, Terry Norton, Thoko Ntshinga, and Fiona Ramsay, directed by Barney Simon for the Market Theatre in [1986], including Neil McCarthy, Vanessa Cooke and Erica Rogers amongst others.
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