Black Comedy

Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer(1926-2016)[1].

The original text

First performed at the British National Theatre on 27 July 1965 as a curtain raiser to Strinberg's Miss Julie. Published in Four Plays by Peter Shaffer. Penguin, 1981.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Afrikaans by Robert Mohr with the title Donkerwerk is Konkelwerk.

Performance history in South Africa

Staged at the Little Theatre in a double bill with N.F. Simpson's The Hole directed by Robert Mohr from 18 October to 1 November 1969, starring Peter Krummeck (Brindsley Miller), Elizabeth Rae (Carol Melkett), Jacobé Gilbert (Miss Furnival), Nicholas Currer (Colonel Melkett), Philip Graham (Harold Gorringe), Alexandra Gwynn-Jones (Clea), Will Bernard (Schuppanzigh) and Peter Kenealy (Georg Bamberger). Set designed by Colin Shaw, costumes designed by Helen Rooza, lighting by Pip Marshall.

Together with The White Liars it made up a double bill starring Eckard Rabe and Ruth Oppenheim. It was directed by John Hussey for PACT/TRUK at the Alexander in 1972. Members of the cast were James White, Gay Lambert, Kenneth Baker, Nigel Vermaas, Bess Finney, Maggie Soboil, Don McCorkindale, Siegfried Mynhardt.

Donkerwerk is Konkelwerk was presented by KRUIK Toneel at the Nico Malan Theatre opening 27 February 1980 in a double bill with El Grande de Coca-Cola. Robert Mohr directed, decor and costumes by Bruno Santini, lighting by Leon Benzakein. The cast: Paul Slabolepszy, Brümilda van Rensburg, Marga van Rooy, Neville Thomas, Johan Malherbe, Neels Coetzee, Grethe Fox, David van der Merwe. After being staged at the H.B. Thom Theatre the play was taken on tour.

Sources

Theatre programme (Little Theatre, 1969).

PACT Newsletter, July 1972.

Theatre programme (KRUIK, 1980).

Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.

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