1789

1789 is a famous improvised play by Ariane Mnouchkine (1939-)[1]

Often provided with a subtitle, e.g. 1789: The French Revolution, Year One or 1789 (French Revolution Year one).

The original text

1789 enabled a young audience to participate in the story of the French Revolution which led to the present-day Republic.

First performed in French at La Cartoucherie, a former munitions factory on the outskirts of Paris, by Le Théâtre du Soleil in 1971.[2]

A second instalment, 1793, described as an invitation to reflect on the last days of the Revolution (and subtitled "La cité révolutionnaire est de ce monde"), was done on 12 May, 1972 at la Cartoucherie, and in November the two plays were done consecutively.[3]

Translations and adaptations

In 1974 the piece was filmed as a documentary about the play 1789 by Theatre du Soleil at La Cartoucherie de Vincennes.[4], directed by the author.

Performance history in South Africa

1981: Presented by the Univerity of Cape Town at the Grahamstown Festival in July 1981, directed by Aubrey Shelton and Marlene Winberg.

1981: Opened at the People's Space, produced by the Pennywhistle Theatre Company Monday 16 November 1981.

1982 - Performed at the Market Theatre, directed by Aubrey Shelton and Marlene Winberg, with a cast that included David Butler, David Dietrich, Jennifer Ferguson, Natalie Gamsu, Megan Kruskal, Ivan Lukas, Nicola Militz, Miriam Munitz, Jose Neto, Kati Tindle, Mark Legward.

1989: Directed by Christopher Weare at the Little Theatre's Hiddingh Hall for the University of Cape Town Drama Department from 20 May to 3 June 1989.

2023: Performed by the Sibikwa Arts Centre from 11 – 23 July, in association with the French Institute of South Africa and Théâtre du Soleil and directed by Phyllis Klotz and Smal Ndaba, with movement direction by Toni Morkel, musical direction by Lehlogonolo 'Bapi' Musa and Bongiwe Musa, and designs by Wilhelm Disbergen. The cast included Joel Zuma, Mlindeli Zondi, Nomsa Mbatha, Khanyisile Ngwabe, Siphiwe Nkabinde, Snenhlanhla Mgeyi, Masiza Mbali, and Zevangeli Mamppofu. The Sibikwa Inclusive Creative Arts Programme students join the cast in chorus, having gone through a two-week workshop facilitated by Théâtre du Soleil.