Blonde Poison

Blonde Poison is a one person play by Gail Louw

Not to be confused with Blondes Gift[, a 1919 German silent drama film directed by Hubert Moest[1] or the documentary film Blonde Poison: The Making of Basic Instinct (2001)[2]

The original text

Based on the story of Stella Goldschlag, a Jewish woman in World War II Berlin who becomes an informant to save herself and her parents from death camps, the play takes the form of an intense interview, offering a last grasp at redemption.

It was originally performed on 8 November 2011, at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, UK. The play was the winner of an Argus Angel Award for artistic excellence (Brighton Festival 2012) and a winner of the San Francisco Best Fringe Award 2016.

The text published by Oberon Books

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

2016: First performed in South Africa at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, directed by Janna Ramos-Violante, with Fiona Ramsay and designs by Alex Farmer (lighting) and Stan Knight (set construction). The play also used voice overs by James Alexander, Janna Ramos-Violante and Tim Wells.

2017: The production was next presented at the Auto & General Theatre on the Square in Sandton from 30 January to 8 February.

2018: The production, once more directed by Janna Ramos-Violante with Fiona Ramsay, was performed again at the Auto & General Theatre on the Square, Sandton, until February 18.

2024: A new production of the play presented at the Baxter Theatre by Fiona Ramsay, this time directed by Fred Abrahamse (17 January to 3 February).