The Biko Inquest
The Biko Inquest by Jon Blair and Norman Fenton. A documentary play based on the South African inquest into the death in prison of the black leader. Originally written for the stage The Biko Inquest (Published , Jon Blair and Norman Fenton. The Biko Inquest. Rex Collings: London, 1978.
Directed by Saira Essa for the Prithvi Festival in Bombay in 1985.
Contents
The original text
First performed by Blair Off Broadway directed by Blair and starring Fritz Weaver and Philip Bosco in 1978 and also by Wole Soyinka, who both directed and acted in the play in Ile-Ife, 1978 and which was then produced for stage (Riverside 1984, with Albert Finney), and on television directed by and starring Albert Finney (1985). The TV version was directed by Finney and broadcast in 1984/5.
Translations and adaptations
The production at the Laager was based partly on the Blair/Fenton text and partly on Essa's own research and resulted in significant changes in the script. Due to contoversy over rights she has created her own adaption referring back to the original court transcripts and to amendments she had already made, resulting in the play Steve Biko: The Inquest.
Performance history in South Africa
The play was first produced in South Africa by Saira Essa in the Abbey Theatre Durban and the Laager in 1985.
Sources
Steve Biko: The Inquest programme notes.
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