Karnaval

by Pieter-Dirk Uys. A play about life in a brothel on Long Street, based on the playwright’s observations of a block of flats opposite his apartment.

Published by AD Donker, 1982.

Performance history in South Africa

First produced on 12 July 1973 at the Outer Space with Trix Pienaar, Cornelia Stander, Vincent Ebrahim, Christine Basson, Grethe Fox, Margot Luyt, Pieter-Dirk Uys, directed and designed by Pieter-Dirk Uys. Lighting by Brian Astbury and the stage management by Richard Morrison and Blaise Koch. Closed after 11 performances by the censors. The play remained banned for five years.

Performed numerous times afterwards, including a production by the Akademiespelers directed by Elza Esterhuizen (circa 1980); at the Market Theatre (1981), with Magda Beukes (Rita), Dale Cutts (Boytjie), Kevin Smith (Javanese Jumping Jack), Lynette Luyt (Andrea), Joey de Koker (Auntie Dora), Margi Lewis (Letitia), Lida Botha (Phyllis), directed by Dawie Malan; Baxter Theatre 199* (directed by Mark Graham); presented by the University of Stellenbosch Drama Department in 1994 directed by Mark Graham; The Playhouse in Somerset West , directed by Molly Mohr with Merlin Balie and Elana Afrika, 1999); the Perron Drama Project in Darling (directed by Pieter-Dirk Uys, 2008/9?).

Staged, together with God's Forgotten and Paradise is Closing Down ("Cape Town Trilogy"), in July 1995 by the newly formed A Company of Actors in the Dock Road Theatre and in August 1995 in the Youth Theatre at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, directed by Mark Graham, with Trix Pienaar (Dora), Theresa van As ((Phyllis), Lynne Maree (Rita), Gretha Brazelle (Letitia), Lynita Crofford (Andrea), Jonathan Pienaar (Boytjie) and Shaun Arnolds (Javanese Jumping Jack). Designer Maciek Miscewski.

Karnaval theatre programme (Akademiespelers).

Cape Argus 9 June 1995.

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