William Shakespeare

(1564 – 1616)English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His surviving works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays,[nb 3] 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, two epitaphs on a man named John Combe, one epitaph on Elias James, and several other poems.

Performances and adaptations in South Africa

His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. imported into South Africa under colonial rule, his works have frequently been performed here by amateurs, professionals, schools and universities. Numerous translations and adaptations of the works have also been created in South Africa.

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Associations and organizations

There is a national Shakespeare Society of South Africa, which grew out of a discussion following an address by the late Professor M. C. Bradbrook, Professor Emerita in the University of Cambridge, during the Winter School at the 1984 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Johannesburg journalist Mr Joe Podbury suggested the formation of a national body to foster the interest in Shakespeare already felt by many ordinary South Africans. A steering committee was accordingly elected. The inaugural meeting of the society took place a year later, on Friday 5 July in the 1820 Settlers National Monument in Grahamstown. A draft constitution was amended and adopted, and the late Professor Guy Butler was elected President unopposed, together with an executive committee.

The society publishes the journal Shakespeare in Southern Africa This is the annual journal of the Society, first published in 1987.