Difference between revisions of "Boesman and Lena"

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'''''Boesman and Lena''''' is a 1969 three-hander play by [[Athol Fugard]]. A play about two wandering “coloured” vagrants who speculate on life, love and freedom. Perhaps one of Athol Fugard’s most celebrated works, a setwork for schools in post-1994 South Africa. 
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''[[Boesman and Lena]]'' is a play by [[Athol Fugard]].  
  
== Publication history ==
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==The original text==
First published in 1969. Published in ''[[Buren]]'' as well as in ''[[Boesman and Lena and Other Plays]]'' ([[Oxford University Press]]).
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 +
A three-hander play about two wandering “[[coloured]]” vagrants who speculate on life, love and freedom. Perhaps one of Athol Fugard’s most celebrated works, a setwork for schools in post-1994 South Africa. 
 +
 
 +
First performed at [[Rhodes University]] in 1969, and first published in the same year. Also published in ''[[Buren]]'' and in ''[[Boesman and Lena and Other Plays]]'' ([[Oxford University Press]]).
  
 
== Translations ==
 
== Translations ==
Translated into [[Afrikaans]] as '''''Boesman en Lena''''' by respectively** [[Alta Coetzee]], [[Frederick B. Philander]] and [[Petrovna Metelerkamp]].
 
  
Translated into [[Afrikaans]] as '''''Die Bywoners''''' by ***.
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Translated into [[Afrikaans]] as '''''[[Boesman en Lena]]''''' by respectively [[Alta Coetzee]], [[Frederick B. Philander]] and [[Petrovna Metelerkamp]].
  
 
== Performances in South Africa ==
 
== Performances in South Africa ==
 +
 
[[NELM]] holds an undated theatre programme of a production of ''Boesman and Lena'' directed by Athol Fugard, with [[Zakes Mokae]], [[Yvonne Bryceland]] and [[Bloke Modisane]] in the cast. ([[NELM]]: Framed items [Collection: Theatre programmes]: 2013. 2. 13).
 
[[NELM]] holds an undated theatre programme of a production of ''Boesman and Lena'' directed by Athol Fugard, with [[Zakes Mokae]], [[Yvonne Bryceland]] and [[Bloke Modisane]] in the cast. ([[NELM]]: Framed items [Collection: Theatre programmes]: 2013. 2. 13).
  
 
1969: First performed at [[Rhodes University]] in 1969, directed by [[Athol Fugard]] with [[Athol Fugard|himself]] as Boesman, [[Yvonne Bryceland]] as Lena and [[Glynn Day]] as Outa.  
 
1969: First performed at [[Rhodes University]] in 1969, directed by [[Athol Fugard]] with [[Athol Fugard|himself]] as Boesman, [[Yvonne Bryceland]] as Lena and [[Glynn Day]] as Outa.  
  
1969: Presented by the [[Cape Performing Arts Board]] (in a [[CAPAB]], [[PACT]] and [[Phoenix Players]] collaboration), with [[Athol Fugard]] (Boesman), [[Yvonne Bryceland]] (Lena) and [[Glynn Day]] (Outa) at the [[Alexander Theatre]], Johannesburg.
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1969: Presented by the [[Cape Performing Arts Board]] (in a [[CAPAB]], [[PACT]] and [[Phoenix Players]] collaboration), with [[Athol Fugard]] ("Boesman"), [[Yvonne Bryceland]] ("Lena") and [[Glynn Day]] ("Outa") at the [[Alexander Theatre]], Johannesburg.
  
 
1970: [[CAPAB]] with [[Athol Fugard]] (Boesman), [[Yvonne Bryceland]] (Lena) and [[Glynn Day]] at the [[Hofmeyr Theatre]] (lighting devised by [[Scott Robertson]]), subsequently touring the Transvaal in association with [[PACT]].
 
1970: [[CAPAB]] with [[Athol Fugard]] (Boesman), [[Yvonne Bryceland]] (Lena) and [[Glynn Day]] at the [[Hofmeyr Theatre]] (lighting devised by [[Scott Robertson]]), subsequently touring the Transvaal in association with [[PACT]].
  
1980: The [[Afrikaans]] translation '''''Boesman en Lena''''' by *** was staged by [[PACOFS]] Drama, directed by [[Cobus Rossouw]], starring [[Schalk Jacobsz]] (Boesman), [[Sandra Kotzé]] (Lena) and [[Laurens Cilliers]] (Outa).
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1980: Performed in [[Afrikaans]] as ''[[Boesman en Lena]]'' by [[PACOFS]] Drama, directed by [[Cobus Rossouw]], starring [[Schalk Jacobsz]] ("Boesman"), [[Sandra Kotzé]] ("Lena") and [[Laurens Celliers]] ("Outa").
  
198*: The [[Afrikaans]] translation '''''Die Bywoners''''' by *** was staged with ([[Schalk Jacobsz]] and [[Elma Potgieter]]) in the lead roles.
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198*: The [[Afrikaans]] translation staged by [[Die Bywoners]], with [[Schalk Jacobsz]] and [[Elma Potgieter]] in the lead roles.
  
1984: [[Janet Suzman]] as Lena, 29 March 1984. (NELM: [Collection: SUZMAN, Janet]: 2008. 15. 1. 29)
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1984: A production featuring [[Janet Suzman]] as "Lena", was done on 29 March 1984, according to materials in the [[Janet Suzman]] collection at [[NELM]]
  
1993: [[Jerry Mofokeng]] directed a version of this play starring [[Bill Curry]], [[Nomhle Nkonyeni]] and [[James Mthoba]] at [[The Market Theatre|Upstairs]] at the [[The Market Theatre|Market]] in 1993.
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1993: [[Jerry Mofokeng]] directed a version of this play starring [[Bill Curry]], [[Nomhle Nkonyeni]] and [[James Mthoba]] at [[Upstairs at the Market]] in 1993. Sets and costumes designed by [[Nadya Cohen]].
  
 
1996: Staged in the [[Arena Theatre]] at the [[Nico Malan Theatre]] in July 1996, directed by [[Nkosinathi Gqotso]], with [[Neels Coetzee]], [[Sylvia Esau]] and [[Shaun Arnolds]]. Design by [[Michael Mitchell]], lighting by [[Jack Arnott]].
 
1996: Staged in the [[Arena Theatre]] at the [[Nico Malan Theatre]] in July 1996, directed by [[Nkosinathi Gqotso]], with [[Neels Coetzee]], [[Sylvia Esau]] and [[Shaun Arnolds]]. Design by [[Michael Mitchell]], lighting by [[Jack Arnott]].
  
1998: In March the [[Afrikaans]] translation '''''Boesman en Lena''''' by [[Petrovna Metelerkamp|Metelerkamp]] was staged by [[PACOFS]] and the [[Vrystaat Ensemble]] in the [[André Huguenet Theatre]] in Bloemfontein, directed by [[Gerben Kamper]], with [[Maurice Carpede]] (Boesman), [[Maria de Koker]] (Lena) and [[Babes Mphatseng]] (Outa). The same production was later staged at the [[KKNK]] 1998.
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1998: In March the [[Afrikaans]] translation ''[[Boesman en Lena]]'' by [[Petrovna Metelerkamp|Metelerkamp]] was staged by [[PACOFS]] and the [[Vrystaat Ensemble]] in the [[André Huguenet Theatre]] in Bloemfontein, directed by [[Gerben Kamper]], with [[Maurice Carpede]] (Boesman), [[Maria de Koker]] (Lena) and [[Babes Mphatseng]] (Outa). The same production was later staged at the [[KKNK]] 1998.
  
 
2012: Production by [[Daphne Kuhn]], directed by [[James Ngcobo]], starring [[Quanita Adams]], [[Elton Landrew]] and [[Charly Azade]],  ran at the [[Old Mutual Theatre on the Square]] until June 30 2012.
 
2012: Production by [[Daphne Kuhn]], directed by [[James Ngcobo]], starring [[Quanita Adams]], [[Elton Landrew]] and [[Charly Azade]],  ran at the [[Old Mutual Theatre on the Square]] until June 30 2012.
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Has twice been filmed:
 
Has twice been filmed:
  
1974 by [[Ross Devenish]], produced by Bluewater Productions, with the 1970 cast, including [[Percy Sieff]] as a fisherman.
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1974 Filmed by [[Ross Devenish]], produced by Bluewater Productions, with the 1970 cast, including [[Percy Sieff]] as a fisherman.
  
2000 A film by [[Anant Singh]], directed by John Berry. Writers:  Athol Fugard (play), John Berry (adaptation), with Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, Willie Jonah.
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2000 Filmed by [[Anant Singh]], directed by John Berry. Writers:  [[Athol Fugard]] (play), [[John Berry]] (adaptation), with Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, [[Willie Jonah]], [[Graham Weir]] and [[Anton Stoltz]].
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
 +
 
[[CAPAB]] programme, 1969.
 
[[CAPAB]] programme, 1969.
  
 
Theatre programmes 1970, 1980, 1996.
 
Theatre programmes 1970, 1980, 1996.
 +
 +
[[Ruphin Coudyzer]]. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of [[Market Theatre]] productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
  
 
[[PACOFS]] Drama 25 Years, 1963-1988.
 
[[PACOFS]] Drama 25 Years, 1963-1988.
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[[KKNK]] programme, 1998.
 
[[KKNK]] programme, 1998.
  
Boesman and Lena set-work for PMB, Prompt Side Productions (05/14/2014)[http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=35432]
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''[[Boesman and Lena]]'' set-work for PMB, [[Prompt Side Productions]] (''[[ArtsLink]]'', 05/14/2014)[http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=35432]
  
''IMDb'' [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0197311/]
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https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0197311/
  
''Wikipedia'' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boesman_and_Lena]
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Entry on ''[[Boesman and Lena]]'' in ''[[Wikipedia]]''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boesman_and_Lena]
  
 
Theatre programme of the Canadian production held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: Rhodes University Drama Department]: 2006. 48. 3. 4.
 
Theatre programme of the Canadian production held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: Rhodes University Drama Department]: 2006. 48. 3. 4.
 +
 +
[[NELM]]: Collection: SUZMAN, Janet: 2008. 15. 1. 29.
 +
 +
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
  
 
== Return to ==
 
== Return to ==
Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 B|B]] in Plays 1 Original SA Plays
 
  
Return to [[ESAT Plays 2 B|B]] in Plays 2 Foreign Plays
+
Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]]
 +
 
 +
Return to [[PLAYS II: Foreign plays]]
 +
 
 +
Return to [[PLAYS III: Collections]]
  
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Plays]]
+
Return to [[PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances]]
  
return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
+
Return to [[South_African_Festivals|South African Festivals and Competitions]]
  
 +
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
  
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 16:14, 23 January 2024

Boesman and Lena is a play by Athol Fugard.

The original text

A three-hander play about two wandering “coloured” vagrants who speculate on life, love and freedom. Perhaps one of Athol Fugard’s most celebrated works, a setwork for schools in post-1994 South Africa.

First performed at Rhodes University in 1969, and first published in the same year. Also published in Buren and in Boesman and Lena and Other Plays (Oxford University Press).

Translations

Translated into Afrikaans as Boesman en Lena by respectively Alta Coetzee, Frederick B. Philander and Petrovna Metelerkamp.

Performances in South Africa

NELM holds an undated theatre programme of a production of Boesman and Lena directed by Athol Fugard, with Zakes Mokae, Yvonne Bryceland and Bloke Modisane in the cast. (NELM: Framed items [Collection: Theatre programmes]: 2013. 2. 13).

1969: First performed at Rhodes University in 1969, directed by Athol Fugard with himself as Boesman, Yvonne Bryceland as Lena and Glynn Day as Outa.

1969: Presented by the Cape Performing Arts Board (in a CAPAB, PACT and Phoenix Players collaboration), with Athol Fugard ("Boesman"), Yvonne Bryceland ("Lena") and Glynn Day ("Outa") at the Alexander Theatre, Johannesburg.

1970: CAPAB with Athol Fugard (Boesman), Yvonne Bryceland (Lena) and Glynn Day at the Hofmeyr Theatre (lighting devised by Scott Robertson), subsequently touring the Transvaal in association with PACT.

1980: Performed in Afrikaans as Boesman en Lena by PACOFS Drama, directed by Cobus Rossouw, starring Schalk Jacobsz ("Boesman"), Sandra Kotzé ("Lena") and Laurens Celliers ("Outa").

198*: The Afrikaans translation staged by Die Bywoners, with Schalk Jacobsz and Elma Potgieter in the lead roles.

1984: A production featuring Janet Suzman as "Lena", was done on 29 March 1984, according to materials in the Janet Suzman collection at NELM

1993: Jerry Mofokeng directed a version of this play starring Bill Curry, Nomhle Nkonyeni and James Mthoba at Upstairs at the Market in 1993. Sets and costumes designed by Nadya Cohen.

1996: Staged in the Arena Theatre at the Nico Malan Theatre in July 1996, directed by Nkosinathi Gqotso, with Neels Coetzee, Sylvia Esau and Shaun Arnolds. Design by Michael Mitchell, lighting by Jack Arnott.

1998: In March the Afrikaans translation Boesman en Lena by Metelerkamp was staged by PACOFS and the Vrystaat Ensemble in the André Huguenet Theatre in Bloemfontein, directed by Gerben Kamper, with Maurice Carpede (Boesman), Maria de Koker (Lena) and Babes Mphatseng (Outa). The same production was later staged at the KKNK 1998.

2012: Production by Daphne Kuhn, directed by James Ngcobo, starring Quanita Adams, Elton Landrew and Charly Azade, ran at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square until June 30 2012.

2014: Performed by Prompt Side Productions, supported by the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT), at the Hexagon Theatre, Pietermaritzburg. Directed by Brenda-Lee Celewith Sade Wagner, Tshepang Koloko and Musa Nkomo.

2016: Produced by UJ Arts & Culture[1] as part of a festival of works under the title LIBERAT!ON MMXVI[2] at the Con Cowan Theatre from 17 May. Produced by Grace Meadows, directed by Phala Ookeditse Phala with Lalu Mokuku, Lebohang Inno and Lebogang Motaung. Design by Alby Michaels.

Performances abroad

Directed by Zakes Mokae, at the Poor Alex Theatre, Toronto, Canada, from 5 to 28 April 1972.

Film versions

Has twice been filmed:

1974 Filmed by Ross Devenish, produced by Bluewater Productions, with the 1970 cast, including Percy Sieff as a fisherman.

2000 Filmed by Anant Singh, directed by John Berry. Writers: Athol Fugard (play), John Berry (adaptation), with Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, Willie Jonah, Graham Weir and Anton Stoltz.

Sources

CAPAB programme, 1969.

Theatre programmes 1970, 1980, 1996.

Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)

PACOFS Drama 25 Years, 1963-1988.

KKNK programme, 1998.

Boesman and Lena set-work for PMB, Prompt Side Productions (ArtsLink, 05/14/2014)[3]

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0197311/

Entry on Boesman and Lena in Wikipedia[4]

Theatre programme of the Canadian production held by NELM: [Collection: Rhodes University Drama Department]: 2006. 48. 3. 4.

NELM: Collection: SUZMAN, Janet: 2008. 15. 1. 29.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays

Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays

Return to PLAYS III: Collections

Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances

Return to South African Festivals and Competitions

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page