La Cantatrice Chauve

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La Cantatrice Chauve (Cântăreața Cheală in Romanian) is the first play written by French-Romanian playwright Eugène Ionesco (1909-1994) [1].

Known in English as The Bald Soprano or The Bald Prima Donna.

The original text

Nicolas Bataille directed the premiere on 11 May 1950 at the Théâtre des Noctambules, Paris.

Since 1957 it has been in permanent showing at the Théâtre de la Huchette.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into English as The Bald Soprano or The Bald Prima Donna by a number of authros over the years..

Translated into Afrikaans as Die Kaalkop Primadonna by Johan Joubert.

An adaptation into Afrikaans by Chris Pretorius is entitled Ballerina Sonder Borste ("Ballerina without breasts")

Performance history in South Africa

Die Kaalkop Primadonna directed by Joan Helen Roux in the H.B. Thom Theatre in September 19** for examination purposes.

1958: Performed as The Bald Prima Donna by the University of Cape Town's University Dramatic Society in June, directed by A. Chiat and Percy Sieff.

1964: Die Kaalkop Prima Donna was performed as part of a double bill entitled 2+2=5 with Tweede Viool by KRUIK under the direction of Jannie Gildenhuys, starring Limpie Basson (Mnr Smith), Wilma Stockenström (Mev Smith), Marie Pentz (Mary), Ernst Eloff (Mnr Martin), Cynthia Dekker (Mev Martin) and Pieter Bredenkamp (Kaptein van die Brandweer).

1981: Ballerina Sonder Borste was directed by Chris Pretorius at the Baxter Studio in January.

1987: Die Kaalkop Prima Donna was presented as part of a double bill with Ek is Herman at the UCT Arena Theatre by the University of Cape Town Drama Department under the direction of Shirley Ellis, opening 28 August 1987, with Michelle Scott, Dickie Geldenhuys, Deirdre Wolhuter, Nan Hamilton, James van Helsdingen and Nico de Beer. Stage managers Cheryl Braaf, Irit Knobel and Vanessa Levenstein, lighting design by Kevin Yates.

Sources

Wikipedia [2].

Supplement to The Argus, 2 December 1980. (re Baxter production 1981).

Theatre programme, 1987.


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