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
Originally published in Afrikaans in 1941, it has been reprinted more than 40 times since.
Translations and adaptations
Translated into English by Antony Dawes (1968), into German by W.A. Kellner (1970), into Kwanyama by Paavo Hasheela (1982), the radio version translated into Zulu, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho and Xhosa by various SABC broadcasters (1980s).
In many ways the most notable version was perhaps Frank Staff's seminal ballet (1967), which has been re-choreographed to Staff's original choreography a few times by Veronica Paeper (1999, 2004).
Other adaptations include a "radiophonic drama" by Graham Newcater (1967), a radio version by Truida Pohl (1989)
1989: An adapted and directed for radio by Truida Pohl (1989) and broadcast on SABC radio. This text was then translated into Zulu, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho and Xhosa by various SABC broadcasters.
Performances
Raka has been performed numerous times in various ways in the country. Often simply as a dramatised verse reading or perfomance by a single narrator or as a physical theatre or dance piece by a performance company.
1967: Ballet-variasie, Franks Staff and Graham Newcater.
1988: Raka - die Musical, André Letoit (ongepubliseerd)
1992: Raka, Niel le Roux (ongepubliseerd).
1999: Raka (Dansteater) in opdrag van die KKNK opgevoer deur Anton van Niekerk.
2004: Ballet tydens die KKNK deur die Kaapstadse Stadsballet opgevoer met Frank Staff as choreograaf.
2005: Raka, Gariepdam Amateur-toneelgeselskap.
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. Raka proved such a success that it was soon made into a film that was distributed worldwide by Twentieth Century Fox.
Performed many times in various ways by a range of companies thereafter, including the Cape Town City Ballet (choreographed by Veronica Paeper, KKNK, 2010), the George Arts Festival (2001, with Christo Davids). Staff's choreography recreated by Veronica Paeper and performed at the KKNK in 2010.
Raka by Niel le Roux
A stage adaptation has been done by Niel le Roux. Unpublished.
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,
H. P. van Coller and A. van Jaarsveld. 2010. Die spore van Raka: oor herskrywing en kanonisering (Deel 1), Tydskrif vir Letterkunde, Vol. 47 no.1.
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