Miss South Africa

Miss South Africa is a monologue by Barney Simon.

The original text

Based on his own short story, Miss South Africa and published in the collection Joburg, Sis![1] by Bateleur Press, 1974. The story was adapted for the stage by Simon.

Translations and adaptations

A 2014 version of the idea, called Miss Africa South, was written and directed by Lizz Meiring, and starring Vinette Ebrahim. It had been inspired by Barney Simon's play and was suggested as a project by Niel le Roux, Executive Head of the Suidoosterfees.

Performance history in South Africa

1975: First performed at The Space (Cape Town), running Upstairs at the Space in the late-night time slot, directed by Dimitri Nicolas-Fanourakis with Jacqui Singer.

1975: Presented by Ann Wakefield.

In 1979 Yvonne Bryceland did another version of it for The National Theatre of Great Britain, directed by Michael Kustow [2]. This was performed at The Space (Cape Town) for five sold out performances in 1979

1981: The play, featuring Yvonne Bryceland, was performed in the Concert Hall, Baxter Theatre in 1981.

1983: A version was directed by Marius de Vos for Weekend Theatre Productions.

Two other productions, yet undated, were done by CAPAB Drama and the University of Natal Department of Speech and Drama in the 1980s.

Sources

https://www.worldcat.org/title/joburg-sis/oclc/609598236

Press clipping of a review by David Bunyan for the Eastern Province Herald of 12 July 1976 (re Wakefield production) held by NELM: [Collection: Rhodes University. Drama Department]: 2006. 48. 7. 15.

Brian Astbury 1979. The Space/Die Ruimte/Indawo. Cape Town: Moira and Azriel Fine.

Manuscript of short story held by NELM: [Collection: SIMON, Barney]: 1995. 11. 3. 24.

Theatre programme (University of Natal production) held by NELM: [Collection: THEATRE PROGRAMMES]: 2012. 285. 1. 199.