Poison

Poison is a serious musical with music, book and lyrics by David Kramer and Taliep Petersen based on Othello. It looks at the the drug trade and gangsterism in Cape Town.

The original text

Translations and adaptations

Later rewritten as a full-on musical.

The musical was reworked and updated in 2019, being set in 1995 and retitled Danger in the Dark. Most of Taliep Petersen's original compositions were retained, but a new libretto was written by David Kramer, Still loosely based on Shakespeare’s Othello, this reworked version tells the story a young, idealistic social worker who stands up to the drug dealers on the Cape Flats. It was first performed at the Baxter Theatre on 11 October, 2019.

Performance history in South Africa

1992: First directed for CAPAB Opera by Janice Honeyman at the Nico Malan Theatre, opening 20 October 1992. Deisgns by Andrew Botha, choric work by Hotep Galeta, choreography by Christopher Kindo, costumes by Fanie Steenkamp, lighting by Malcolm Hurrell. The cast included Al Hendricks, Winston Pienaar, Steve Walsh, Jenny de Lenta, Giempie Vardien, Ricky Rudolph, Bettina Schouw, Linda Alexander, Didi Moses, Arthur Petersen, Rashied Cassiem and Jody Abrahams.

1994: David Kramer directed the adapted version with the Volkswagen Music Active drama group at the Baxter Theatre in 1994, when Kramer won the FNB Vita Award for Best Director of a Musical. Also played in Malaysia.

1995: Poison was staged at the Port Elizabeth Opera House.

2019: Danger in the Dark first performed at the Baxter Theatre

2020: Danger in the Dark performed at the Baxter Theatre from 9 March.