Children of a Lesser God
Children of a Lesser God is a play by the American playwright Mark Medoff (1940 – 2019)[1].
Contents
The original text
Medoff wrote the play for deaf actress Phyllis Frelich, whom he had met at the University of Rhode Island's New Repertory Project in 1977. Loosely based Frelich's relationship with her hearing husband Robert Steinberg, the play chronicles the tumultuous relationship and marriage between a reluctant-to-speak deaf woman and an unconventional speech pathologist for the deaf.
Completed in 1979, it was originally developed from workshops and showcased at New Mexico State University, with Frelich and Steinberg in the lead roles. It then had a successful run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, followed by a Broadway production, directed by Gordon Davidson with Frelich and Johan Rubenstein in the leading roles, opening at the Longacre Theatre on March 30, 1980. The piece received three Tony Awards, including Best Play, and ran for 887 performances.
Translations and adaptations
Made into an award-winning film in 1986, directed by Randa Haines with William Hurt, Marlee Matlin, Piper Laurie and Philip Bosco.[2]
Translated into Afrikaans as Kinders van Stilte ("Children of Silence") by Antoinette Louw.
Performance history in South Africa
1982: Produced at the Baxter Theatre in 1982 and the Market Theatre in September 1982 and January 1983 by Market Theatre Company and Company of Four, directed by Philipa Ailion, with Michael Richard, Jean St Clair, Edward Lee Kelly, Danny Keogh, Bess Finney, Roz Monat, Jean Worth, Michael Brunner, ;
2013: Performed in Afrikaans as Kinders van Stilte in the Wynand Mouton Theatre in Bloemfontein, with Antoinette Louw.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_a_Lesser_God_(play)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_a_Lesser_God_(film)
Tucker, 1997.
Volksblad, 10 July 2013.
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