Godspell
A musical about the life of Christ by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since.
First produced in South Africa by Des Lindberg and Dawn Lindberg in Maseru in 1973 and at UCT in 1974, starring Bruce Millar, Cocky Tlhotlhalemaje, Graham Clarke, Caryn Solomon, Ros Monat, Des Lindberg, Jenny Rose Cantan, Ali Lerefolo, Trish McKenna, Harriet Matiwane. Musical director Arthur Stead, stage and lighting manager John White-Spunner, sound manager Mary Field. Subsequent productions starred amongst others, Patrick Ndlovu, Barrie Shah, Neville Nash, Dawn Lindberg, Ian Lawrence, Sam Marais and David Denis.
This production was very controversial as it challenged the country’s race laws by using a non-racial cast where previously only white or black casts were used. First done in in Maseru, Lesotho in 1973 and ran there for 5 months, then, was brought to South Africa to open at the Wits University Great Hall, but was banned under the Publications and Entertainment Act no. 26 of 1963, because of blasphemy, ostensibly for presenting Christ as a clown. The Lindbergs challenged the banning in the Supreme Court, and won their case.However, a note now had to be added to the programme stating that what the audience is about to see is a play and that all the actions in it are symbolic. It now toured the country for two years, performing at universities and various Christian Brothers College High Schools (1973-1975), and was produced again in 1994.
It was presented by The westville Theatre Club on the Fringe, National Arts Festoval, 1984, directed by Jeanne Beauchamp, choreographed by Gay Rodda.
A recording by the original South African cast was produced in 1972.
Sources
Gosher, 1988
http://samusicheritage.wordpress.com/tag/godspell/
National Arts Festival programme, 1984
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