Die Amerikanische Päpstin
Die Amerikanische Päpstin ("The American Popess") is a German one-woman play by Argentinian-German playwright Esther Vilar.
Originally entitled Die Antrittsrede der Amerikanischen Päpstin in German (El discurso inaugural de la papisa Americana in Spanish and The Inaugural Address of the American Popess in English), it was written and performed in 1982 and published by Lauke, 1992.
Performance history in South Africa
Staged in Afrikaans, translated by Linda van den Bergh as Pous Johanna II, presented by CAPAB, directed by Mario Schiess, performed at the Nico Malan Theatre in June 1985 and the Kleinteater, Skinnerstraat Pretoria 12-23 November 1985. Jana Cilliers in the role of Pope Joan II. Design by Skip Wright, costumes by Heather McDonald.
Staged in English as The American Popess in the Wits Theatre Complex in March 2001, directed by Mark Graham, with Jana Cilliers (as Pope Joan II) and Galeboe Moabi. The same production was subsequently performed in various venues across South Africa.
Staged as Pous Johanna in a new Afrikaans translation by Saartjie Botha at the KKNK 2004, with Jana Cilliers, directed by Mark Graham.
Translations and adaptations
Translated into Afrikaans in 1984 as Pous Johanna II by Linda van den Bergh.
Translated into Afrikaans in 2004 as Pous Johanna by Saartjie Botha.
Sources
Pous Johanna II theatre programme, 1985.
The Citizen, 12 March 2001.
Sunday Independent, 18 March 2001.
Business Day, 23 March 2001.
Die Burger, 10 & 12 April 2004.
Cape Times, 14 April 2004.
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