Scenes from an Execution
Scenes from an Execution is a play by the English playwright Howard Barker. The plot revolves around a female artist's struggles against the Venetian city-state in the aftermath of the Battle of Lepanto (1571). Although the city commissions the painting to celebrate the victory over the Turks, the artist's vision differs dramatically from that of the Doge and the Catholic Church. The play has been described as "Barker's most famous and accessible play". Originally a radio play for the BBC in 1984, the stage version was first performed in 1990 at the Almeida Theatre in London with Glenda Jackson. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scenes_from_an_Execution).
Contents
The original text
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
In South Africa the play was directed by Clare Stopford in 1993, starring Dawid Minnaar, Camilla Waldman, set designed by Nadya Cohen. The production received several national Vita Awards, 1993-1994.
Minaar, Dawid in `Scenes from an Execution' (performance of the year by a supporting actor); Waldman, Camilla in `Scenes from an Execution' (performance of the year by a supporting actress) (joint winner); Xaba, Nomsa in `Maru' [script : Bessie Head; Walter Chakela] (performance of the year by a supporting actress) (joint winner); Announced 25.9.1994
Sources
Scenes from an Execution theatre programme, 1994
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