Long Day's Journey into Night
Long Day's Journey into Night (written 1939-41, first performed 1955-6) [1] is a drama in four acts by Eugene O'Neill. A powerful play about a disintegrating family, based on the author's own relationship with his parents and brother. Considered by many to be O'Neill's masterpiece and one of the greatest plays of the 20th century. Published by Jonathan Cape, 1956.
Performance history in South Africa
First performed in South Africa at the Hofmeyr Theatre and the Intimate Theatre, Johannesburg, by Leonard Schach and the Cockpit Players from October 1958 . Starred Joan Blake, John McKelvey, Leon Gluckman, Paddy Canavan and Nigel Hawthorne. Decor by Bruce Palmer.
Thereafter often produced, including by PACT (197*, directed by Francois Swart(?*), with i.a. ?*), The Space from 28 March 1973, directed by Bill Tanner with Bill Flynn, Roshel Malbin, Peter Piccolo, Percy Sieff and Yvonne Bryceland). Stage director Jeff Shapiro, stage manager, props and lighting control by Beryl Berman, lighting designed by Brian Astbury and Bill Tanner.
In 1978 Barney Simon directed a revival of the play for The Company starring Joe Stewardson, Shelagh Holliday, Danny Keogh, Lesley Nott and Ron Smerczak at The Market Theatre. Stage and costume design was by Johan Engels, lighting design by Mannie Manim.
Presented by CAPAB Drama directed by Ralph Lawson opening at the Nico Malan Theatre 18 April 1989. Decor by Peter Cazalet, costumes Birrie le Roux, lighting Malcolm Hurrell. The cast: Patrick Mynhardt (James Tyrone), Diane Wilson (Mary Cavan Tyrone), David Clatworthy (James Tyrone, Jr.), André Roothman (Edmund Tyrone), Belinda Koning (Cathleen).
Translations and adaptations
It has been translated into Afrikaans as Lang Dagreis na die Nag by André P. Brink and first produced by TRUK in July 1970, directed by Leonard Schach. Decor by Richard Cook, costumes by Pat Slavin. In the cast were Tine Balder (Mary Tyrone), Annette Engelbrecht (Cathleen), Schalk Jacobsz, Don Lamprecht (Edmund Tyrone), Louis van Niekerk (James Tyrone).
In 2008 Marthinus Basson directed and designed the Afrikaans text for Vleis, Rys en Aartappels and the KKNK, starring Antoinette Kellermann en Marius Weyers, Stian Bam and Gustav Gerdener. This production won a number of awards.
Sources
PACT theatre progrqamme, 1970.
Inskip, 1977. p 122, 127.
Long Day's Journey into Night theatre programmes, 1973, 1978, 1989.
Astbury, 1979.
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