A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [1] is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (1930-)[2] and book by Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove.

The original text

Originally produced on Broadway by Harold S. Prince. The production opened on 8 May 1962.

Performance history in South Africa

1964: It was first performed in South Africa at the Civic Theatre Johannesburg in 1964 by Theatre International. Directed by Christopher Hewett, it starred Emory Bass, Joseph Corby, William Le Messena, Fran Stevens and Jack Harrold. Production and company manager: Mannie Manim.

1976: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society in 1976.

1978: Presented by PACOFS at the Observatory Theatre in February 1978, directed by Johan Bernard, musical director and pianist Laurie Potgieter, decor and costume design by Dicky Longhurst. The cast: James Borthwick, William Egan, Elize Cawood, Nico Luwes, Pierre Knoesen, Roelf Laubscher, At Botha, Chris van Niekerk, Marie Pentz, Marikie Basson, Annalise Bosch. Stage manager Mavis Lilenstein.

1983: The Johannesburg Civic Theatre Association and Brickhill-Burke Productions co-produced a new version, directed by Louis Burke, with Terry Lester (Prologus), Wilson Dunster (Hysterium), Dennis Folbigge (Senex), Leslie Sterry (Lycus), Andrea Catzel (Domina), James Irwin (Erronius), Mark Richardson (Hero), Anne Power (Philia), Tony Stiglingh (Miles Gloriosus), Patti Mayes (Gymnasia), Debra Newman (Tintinabula), Nicola Osberg (Vibrata), Natalie Tocknell (Panacea), Tracey Harrington & Siobahn Ryan (The Geminae), Sam Marais (A Protean), Duncan Bouwer (A Protean) and Garth Annetts (A Protean). Musical and vocal direction by Bill Fairley and choreography by Tom Kelly.

Sources

Wikipedia [3]

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum theatre programme, 1978.

Brickhill-Burke Productions theatre programme, (undated).

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