Raka
Raka is an Afrikaans dramatic poem by N.P. van Wyk Louw.
Seen by many as a visionary metaphor for the battle between good and evil, or even for civilization in Africa.
Contents
The original text
Stage versions
Raka has been performed numerous times in various ways in the country. Often simply as a dramatised verse reading (e.g by ** in **), though
Raka - The Ballet
In many ways the most notable version was perhaps Frank Staff's seminal ballet (1967), set to a score by Graham Newcater and the harbinger of a truly South African tradition in ballet. Performed many times in various ways by a range of companies, including the Cape Town City Ballet (choreographed by Veronica Paeper), the George Arts Festival (2001, with Christo Davids). Raka proved such a success that it was soon made into a film that was distributed worldwide by Twentieth Century Fox.
Raka by Niel le Roux
A stage adaptation has been done by Niel le Roux.
Raka – Die Musical (Vry Vertaling van die Bacchae) by André Letoit
The title was used by André Letoit for another kind of adaptation, called Raka – Die Musical (Vry Vertaling van die Bacchae) ("Raka The Musical. A free adapatation of the bacchae"): .
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Staff
Programme, Raka, Cape Town City Ballet, KKNK, April,
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