The Rainmaker
The Rainmaker is a play written by American playwright N. Richard Nash (1913-2000) [1] in the early 1950s. The play opened on October 28, 1954 at the Cort Theatre in New York and ran for 125 performances. It was directed by Joseph Anthony.
Contents
The original text
Translations and adaptations
An Afrikaans version of the play (Die Reënmaker), translated by Fred le Roux, was produced by CAPAB opening 28 August 1965 at the Hofmeyr Theatre under the direction of Suzanne van Wyk with Babs Laker and Paul Malherbe, and SWAPAC in 197*. Wolfgang von Stas directed this translation for PACOFS in 1972, starring Jan Prinsloo and Louise Mollett-Prinsloo. Published by DALRO, 1972.
Another translation was done by André P. Brink, also entitled Die Reënmaker. (NELM [Collection: LILENSTEIN, Mavis]: 2007. 9. 2. 25)
Die Reënmaker was presented by PACT Drama at theatres in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Natal, directed by Louis van Niekerk, 1977. It is unclear which translation was used.
Die Reënmaker presented by CAPAB circa 1980, starring Christo Potgieter, David van der Merwe, *.
Performance history in South Africa
First produced professionally in South Africa by ***
1956: Directed by Leonard Schach for the Cockpit Players at the Hofmeyr Theatre, October. The cast: Alec Bell, Brian Bell, Walter Glennie, John Hussey, Johan Nell, Zoë Randall. Decor Frank Graves. Taken on tour to Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein and Kimberley in 1957.
1965: Produced by a local group in Port Elizabeth, directed by CAPAB's Pietro Nolte.
Sources
PACOFS Drama 25 Years, 1963-1988.
Maria Stuart theatre programme (KRUIK 1965), announcement of forthcoming attractions.
PACT theater programme, 1976.
Inskip, 1977. p 52-54, 121.
Grütter, Wilhelm, CAPAB 25 Years, 1987. Unpublished research. p 418.
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