Another One’s Bread

Another One’s Bread is a play by Mike van Graan (1959-).

Original text

Commissioned by the Centre of Excellence in Food Security at the University of the Western Cape, Another One’s Bread explores various themes related to hunger in the context of the relationships between four women – a retired teacher, a writer, an estate agent and an unemployed young woman. What keeps these disparate women from Khayelitsha together is their membership of THE SUBSTITUTES, a group of professional mourners, hired to provide mourning-related services at funerals. The play takes its title from the Afrikaans expression “een man se dood is ‘n ander man se brood” ("one person’s demise is another person’s bread").

Translations, adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

2017: The play was first performed as a one-off at the District Six Museum on 12 November, after which it had its first season at the AFDA Theatre in Observatory, 1-9 December. Directed by Pamela Nomvete with Faniswa Yisa, Chuma Sopotela, Motlatji Ditodi and Awethu Hleli.

2018: Presented at the Market Theatre (12 January to 4 February).