Little Red Riding Hood is a favourite theme for pantomimes and children's plays, as well as satires.

The original fable

The well known tale of the young girl, her grandmother and the wolf, Little Red Riding Hood is a European fairy tale and has its origins in various European folk tales from the 10th century, including the Italian tale of La finta nonna ("The False Grandmother"). The two best known and probably most influential versions were written by Charles Perrault (1628-1703)[1] and the Brothers Grimm ()[].

The tale is apparently linked to Peter and the Wolf.

For more on the original tales, see "Little Red Riding Hood" in Wikipedia [2] for example.

Adaptations

The story has been changed considerably in various retellings and subjected to numerous modern adaptations and readings. Other names for the story are: "Little Red Cap" or simply "Red Riding Hood".

International adaptations seen in South Africa

South African stage productions

1948: Little Red Riding Hood, produced and directed by Bill Brewer, Hofmeyr Theatre, Cape Town.

Puppet and marionette versions in South Africa

1976: A marionette performance by Estelle van der Merwe, first performed 1976 in Parys (OFS) by the Parys Library Marionette Group.

Radically adapted and/or localized South African versions

For more details see the individual entries.

1959: The Wolf and I a pantomime by Taubie Kushlick, performed at the Carlton Hotel.

Rooi ("Red") by Gaerin Hauptfleisch,

Rooikêppetjie ("little red cap") by Malan Steyn, Saartjie Botha and cast members.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Red_Riding_Hood

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.203-205

Go to ESAT Bibliography