The Oresteia

The Oresteia by Aeschylus. ***

Translations and adaptations

Translations

Into Afrikaans)

Translated as Die Oresteia Trilogie by Merwe Scholtz in 1981

Adaptations

Molora (2007)

("Molora" is a Sotho word meaning "Ash") A condensation and adaptation of the Aeshylean trilogy by Yaël Farber, which transplants the family strife, death, violence, despair and loss, inherent in the Greek original, into the milieu of post-Apartheid South Africa and traumatic yet healing period the Truth and Reconciiation Commission. Utilizing the original text, the play also introduces additional text in most of the South African languages, and a chorus of singing and dancing women, created by The Ngqoko Cultural Group from the town of Lady Frere.

The text has been published by Oberon Books (200*).

Performance history in South Africa

1952: Directed in English by Rosalie van der Gucht at the Little Theatre, Cape Town, in 1952, the year it celebrated its 21st birthday.

1981: Directed in Afrikaans as Die Oresteia-Trilogie by Dieter Reible, for CAPAB. The cast included Wilna Snyman, Johan Malherbe, Marthinus Basson, Grethe Fox, Marga van Rooy, Neels Coetzee, David van der Merwe, Paul Lückhoff, Mitzi Booysen, Selma van der Vyver, Christo Potgieter, Brümilda van Rensburg, Marikie Basson, Heléne Coetzee, Elise Hibbert, Marko van der Colff. Decor and costumes by Raimond Schoop, lighting by Leon Benzakein.

Sources

Inskip, 1977. p 43.

Die Orestiea-Trilogie theatre programme, 1981.

http://www.yfarber.com/molora/

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