Maru

stage play(s) based on the 1971 novel Maru by Bessie Head. Adapted for the stage by Wim Vorster for a PACOFS production and by Walter Chakela for a production at the Windybrow Centre for the Arts, (both in 1994).

Performance history in South Africa

The Wim Vorster version was staged for PACOFS, directed by Gerben Kamper, with Ilse Klink as Margaret, Maurice Carpede as Maru and Denise Newman as the narrator Bessie Head in May 1994.

The Walter Chakela version, directed by Chakela, was staged at the Windybrow Centre for the Arts, with Patrick Shai, Nomsa Nene, Samson Khumelo and others in August 1994.

Chakela directed his version again in March 1995, a production which toured Natal and played in the Drama Theatre in the Natal Playhouse - the cast included Alistair Dube and Shannon Simon.

In September 1998 Walter Chakela staged his version in the Adcock-Ingram at the Windybrow Theatre, with George Lamola, Emily Tseu, Duma Mnembe, Alistair Dube, Pinky Fihlane and Elize Mark. Chakela directed another production in the Windybrow Theatre in 2002.