The Comedy of Errors
The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare. Much performed and studied over the years, this play was first performed in English at Gray's Inn Hall in 1594.
Performance history in South Africa
1913:The first professional production in South Africa was performed by Henry Herbert and his touring Henry Herbert Company in 1913.
1964: Directed by Alexandra Dane for the Cambridge Theatre Group tour of South Africa in July - August 1964.
1983: In July 1983 it was the first production in the new Wits Theatre with Ian Steadman directing Wits drama students. It featured students of the School of Music playing an especially written score by Professor Henk Temmingh.
1985: A PACT production staged at the Alexander Theatre and the State Theatre in 1985 was directed by Janice Honeyman starring Neville Thomas, Dale Cutts, Graham Hopkins, Martin le Maitre, Frantz Dobrowsky, Russel Savadier, Maralin Vanrenen, Clare Stopford, Charlotte Butler, Peter Terry, Barry French, Billy Second, Margaret Heale, Guy de Lancey, Bruce Alexander, Gina Benjamin and Karen Going. Decor by Andrew Botha, costumes by Frances Michaletos, lighting by Stan Knight.
1986: Directed by Ken Leach for CAPAB at Maynardville, opening on 17 January 1986. The cast: Ronald France, Bill Jervis, Michael Richard, Andrew Buckland, Mark Graham, Silamour Philander, Grethe Fox, Mary Dreyer, Paddy Canavan, Shaleen Surtie-Richards, Royston Stoffels, Gordon van Rooyen, Joseph Ribeiro, André Roothman, Jamie Bartlett, Louise Saint-Claire. Paul Smith, Chris Baatjies. The production was revived at the beginning of 1988 with changes in the cast, directed by Mark Graham. Designer: Dicky Longhurst.
2005: Performed at the Aardklop festival 2005, directed by Josias Moleele.
Translations and adaptations
Translated into Setswana by Sol Plaatje entitled Diphosophoso (literally "Mistakes, mistakes") and published as Diphosophoso: Shakespeare's 'The Comedy of Errors' (subtitled "E fetoletswe mo puong ya Setswana ke Solomon Tshekiso Plaatje") by Morija Printing Works, 1930; Reprinted in Gaberones by Botswana Book Centre, 1964. Performed at the Aardklop festival 2005, directed by Josias Moleele.
Translated and adapted into Afrikaans as Kinkels innie Kabel (="twists in the cable") by André P. Brink. It was a hugely popular adaptation to a Western Cape setting , utilizing the local regional variant of Afrikaans called "Kaaps" to good effect.
See also the entry on Kinkels innie Kabel for more details on the text and productions.
Sources
Research material on the theatre in South Africa (re 1964 production) held by NELM: [Collection: FLETCHER, Jill]: 2005. 75. 19. 2.
CAPAB theatre pamphlet, 1979.
PACT theatre pamphlet, July 1981.
NAPAC News, April 1981.
Teaterforum, 4(1), 1983, 113.
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