Difference between revisions of "How Long?"

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by [[Gibson Kente]]. A melodramatic musical play with political undetones in the township style, on the death of Khulu, a helpless grandmother, through brutal police action and apartheid bureaucracy. It forms part of a trilogy of the only political plays written by Kente, Written and performed in 1973/4?*.He was briefly arrested while filming it in 1976. Performed many times, starring [[Dambisa Kente]], [[Peter Se-Puma]] in 198*???***
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''[[How Long?]]'' is a musical play by [[Gibson Kente]].  
(See [[Gosher]], 1988)  
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== The original text ==
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Written and first performed in 1973, it is a melodramatic musical play with political undertones in the township style, it is based on a tale about the death of Khulu, a helpless grandmother, through brutal police action and apartheid bureaucracy.  
 +
 
 +
Kente wrote the play as a response to pressure from [[Black Consciousness]] structures, which demanded that all cultural work needed to reflect the material conditions of Black people in South Africa. The play forms part of a trilogy, the only political plays written by Kente
 +
 
 +
Because of its popularity among the  black masses when performed in the township halls, the play was later banned and Kente was imprisoned when an attempt was made to film the play in 1976.  
 +
 
 +
== Translations and adaptations ==
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 +
 
 +
== Performances ==
 +
 
 +
1973: Performed by Kente's own company and taken on tour. 
 +
 
 +
1980s: Performed many times, starring [[Dambisa Kente]], [[Peter Se-Puma]]and others
 +
 
 +
2018: Performed  by [[The Playhouse Company]], in the Playhouse Opera theatre from 5 to 27 May, directed by [[Duma Ndlovu]] with choreography by [[Somizi Mhlongo]] and musical direction by [[Phelelani Mnomiya]]. The cast includes [[Thembi Mtshali]], [[Phindile Gwala]], [[Khaya Dladla]], [[Mondli Makhoba]] and [[Nqobile Ndlovu]]. The production included a six-piece band and 13-piece orchestra ensemble
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== Sources ==
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Copy Dog Editorial Enterprises. 2018. "Playhouse revives Kente's musical drama ''How Long?''", Artslink[http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=43559]
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[[Gosher]], 1988)  
  
  

Revision as of 14:58, 10 April 2018

How Long? is a musical play by Gibson Kente.

The original text

Written and first performed in 1973, it is a melodramatic musical play with political undertones in the township style, it is based on a tale about the death of Khulu, a helpless grandmother, through brutal police action and apartheid bureaucracy.

Kente wrote the play as a response to pressure from Black Consciousness structures, which demanded that all cultural work needed to reflect the material conditions of Black people in South Africa. The play forms part of a trilogy, the only political plays written by Kente.

Because of its popularity among the black masses when performed in the township halls, the play was later banned and Kente was imprisoned when an attempt was made to film the play in 1976.

Translations and adaptations

Performances

1973: Performed by Kente's own company and taken on tour.

1980s: Performed many times, starring Dambisa Kente, Peter Se-Pumaand others

2018: Performed by The Playhouse Company, in the Playhouse Opera theatre from 5 to 27 May, directed by Duma Ndlovu with choreography by Somizi Mhlongo and musical direction by Phelelani Mnomiya. The cast includes Thembi Mtshali, Phindile Gwala, Khaya Dladla, Mondli Makhoba and Nqobile Ndlovu. The production included a six-piece band and 13-piece orchestra ensemble


Sources

Copy Dog Editorial Enterprises. 2018. "Playhouse revives Kente's musical drama How Long?", Artslink[1]


Gosher, 1988)


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