Puss in Boots

Puss in Boots [1] is the name of a famous European fairytale.

Often also found as Puss-in-Boots.

The original text

The origins of the story are vague and varied, since it appears in a large variety of publications and other forms over the ages.

Translations and adaptations

The basic story has been used for virtually all art forms, notably the performing arts such as stage, dance, and film.

A popular theme for pantomime[2] in the UK and its dominions and colonies, and - in the spirit of pantomime - the text is usually devised or adapted by each director for the particular circumstances, cast, audience, etc.

In 1971 an Afrikaans stage version called Katjie-stewels and described as "'n Sprokie vir kinders" ("a fable for children"), the text is a free adaptation, devised by the P.O.S Groep at the Stellenbosch Drama Department, the text edited by Jocelyn de Bruyn and published by DALRO.

Performance history in South Africa

1971: An Afrikaans stage version of thee tale, called Katjie-stewels (lit. "kitten boots") was developed and probably performed by the P.O.S Groep at the Stellenbosch Drama Department, directed by Jocelyn de Bruyn or/with Marina le Roux.

2003: Presented by the Westville Theatre Club, directed by Paddy Bell-Fisher in November.

2008: Adapted by Garth Anderson, presented by The Actors Co-operative at the Durban Botanic Gardens, December .

2015-6: Performed by KickstArt in the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, University of Natal, Durban. Written and directed by Steven Stead with Rory Booth, Bryan Hiles, Darren King, Londiwe Dhlomo, Peter Court, Lyle Buxton, Belinda Henwood, Nhlakanepho Manqele and Caitlin Kilburn. Designs by Greg King.