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 Relefolo, Trish McKenna, Harriet Matiwane. Musical director Arthur Stead, stage and lighting manager John White-Spunner, sound manager Mary Field.

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 Lesotho, then, when it came to South Africa, Banned under the Publications and Entertainment Act no. 26 of 1963, because of blasphemy, ostensibly for presenting Christ as a clown. However, later unbanned following an appeal to the Supreme Court, though a note 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 , performing at univeristies and various Christian Brothers College High Schools.

Sources

Gosher, 1988

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