Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar, (The Tragedy of) by William Shakespeare (c.1599). A hugely popular prescribed work for schools and university English courses, as well as productions by schools, Repertory and Shakespeare societies and the like. First recorded production was in *** by ***.

Performance history in South Africa

1932: Produced by Alfred Holtzer at the Hiddingh Hall, Cape Town, starring Leonard Schach as Artemidorus and Joyce Bradley as Portia.

1943: Produced by Alfred Holtzer for S.A.C.S. Dramatic Society, at Cape Town's Little Theatre, 1943.

1957: John Boulter directed the play for the Wits University Players starring Janet Suzman.

1976: Maynardville's 1976 production of Julius Caesar, opening 8 January, was directed by Leonard Schach with Roger Dwyer in the title role, also starring David Dodimead, Keith Grenville, John Whiteley and many others. Schach's decor was realised by Peter Krummeck and Jennifer Craig designed the costumes. This was the Spotlight Theatre's 21st anniversary production.

1983: PACOFS, directed by Desmond Hughes, starring Anton Dekker, Danie Burger, Clive Chamberlin, Neville Thomas, Frans Gräbe, Anton Welman and Pieter Brand.

1984: Presented by NAPAC at the Alhambra Theatre, Durban, directed by English director Peter Dews [1] (1929-1997) from 5 March 1984. NAPAC's production was presented at the 1984 Grahamstown Festival with Eckard Rabe, Don Ridgway, John Hussey and Michael Swinton, redirected for the Festival by John Hussey and Michael Swinton. Lighting by Mick Hughes, adapted by Joe Freedman, sound effects by Tim Oilver.

1985: Directed by Malcolm Purkey for SODA, Wits Theatre.

1995: An adaptation was staged in September 1995 at the Windybrow Arts Centre and in the Momentum Theatre at the State Theatre, directed by Walter Chakela, with a cast including Professor Mavuso, James Whyle, Juanita Strydom.

2001: SeZaR, an adaptation by Yael Farber was staged in 2001 and 2002 at the Grahamstown Festival and in the Market Theatre.

Translations and adaptations

Translations

Translated into a number of South African languages, including:

Afrikaans: Translated as Julius Caesar Anna S. Pohl, (Van Schaik, 1966)

Northern Sotho: Translated as Julease Sisare by N.C. Phatudi, (Unieboekwinkel, 1960),

Tsonga: Translated as Julius Caesar) by S.J. Baloyi, (Sasavona, 1957, Swiss Mission in SA, 1973),

Setswana: Translated as Dintshontsho tsa bo-Julius Kesara by Sol.T. Plaatje, Wits University , 1937),

Tshivenda: Translated as Makhaulambilu a Julius Caesar by H.M. Nemudzivadi, **, 19*?),

Xhosa: Translated as uJulius Caesar by B.B. Mdledle, (A.P.B., 1957), .

Adaptations

SeZaR by Yaël Farber. An adaptation set in Azania, a fictional African country, and utilizing the original dialogue in combination with additional text in various local South African languages.

Premièred at the Grahamstown Festival in 2001, directed by Yaël Farber, with Hope Sprinter Sekgobela (SeZaR), Menzi Ngubane (Brutas), Tumisho Masha (Kassius), Tony Kgoroge (Mark Anthony (sic)), Siyabonga Twala (Sinna, Oktavius and sangoma), Mary Twala (Soothsayer), Mmabatho Mogomotsi (Porshia) and Keketso Semoko (Kalpurnia).

The same production, after a run in England, was staged at the Market Theatre in February 2002.

Received a total of four FNB Vita Awards.

Sources

Trek, 8(5):16, 1943.

Grütter, Wilhelm, CAPAB 25 Years, 1987. Unpublished research. p 62.

Inskip, 1977. p 127.

Teaterwoordeboek, Vaktaalburo, 1977.

National Arts Festival programme, 1984.

PACOFS Drama 25 Years, 1963-1988.

Die Burger, 3 July 2001.

Natal Witness, 7 July 2001.

Sunday Tribune, 27 January 2002.

The Star, 7 February 2002.

The Sowetan, 8 February 2002.

Sunday Independent, 10 February 2002.

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