Crepuscule

Crepuscule ("dusk" or "twilight") can refer to a short story by Can Themba, or to the dramatisation of the story by Khayelihle Dom Gumede (1988- ).

Not to be confused with the French play Crépuscule du Théâtre by H.R. Lenormand (Henri-René Lenormand, 1882-1951), performed in South Africa as In Theatre Street.

The original text

Can Themba's short story Crepuscule is believed to be a fictional interpretation of his real life love affair with a white woman, Jean Hart, during the 1950s, the Apartheid years, in Sophiatown, South Africa. It was published in the collection The Will to Die in 1972 (Cape Town and Johannesburg: David Philip).

Translations and adaptations

The story was adapted for the stage by Khayelihle Dom Gumede im 2012.

The play text was published by Junkets Publisher]] in 2014.

Performance history in South Africa

2012: Crepuscule staged as a student production at the Wits School of Dramatic Arts, directed by Gumede.

2015: Crepuscule staged in the Laager at the Market Theatre in July, directed by Gumede, with Kate Liquorish ("Jennet Hart"), Leroy Gopal ("Can Themba"), Conrad Kemp ("Malcolm Hart"), Lerato Mvelase ("Baby/Kleinboy"), Thami Ngoma ("Ous Lethabo/Mama Dora/Sis") and Nhlanhla Mahlangu ("Stan").

2016: Crepuscule performed at the Victoria Theatre, National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, South Africa, in July.