Difference between revisions of "Outers"

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by [[Barney Simon]] and Cast. **
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''[[Outers]]'' is a workshopped play by [[Barney Simon]] (1932-1995), [[Nicky Rebelo]] (1958-) and Cast.  
Outers by Barney Simon and [[Nicky Rebelo]]. Full-length. Cast: mixed. Published in ''[[Born in the RSA: Four Workshopped Plays]]'' by [[Wits University Press]].
 
  
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==The original text==
  
Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 O|O]]
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The idea for the documentary style play came from a writing project undertaken by [[Nicky Rebelo]] while a student at the [[University of the Witwatersrand]] in 1981, for which he made tape recordings of conversations with the down-and-outs of Joubert Park in Johannesburg and edited them into a text.
  
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Plays|South African Theatre Plays]]
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Rebelo's text formed the basis of the ''[[Outers]]'' project undertaken by [[Barney Simon]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1985. Simon gathered a select cast of seven talented performers to participate in the workshop process, during which they were sent into parks, streets and work-places of Johannesburg, "in character", to hunt for jobs, food, cigarettes, handouts and thus gaining a wealth of new and topical material as well as invaluable empathy for the people they moved among.
  
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This initial research period was followed by a workshop process of five weeks under the direction of [[Barney Simon]], in order to process the material and shape a performance text.
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According to the programme notes for the original production, "''[[Outers]]'' embodies Simon's credo as Artistic Director of the [[Market Theatre]]: 'to reflect our lives... to attempt a theatre that is alive to all dramatic possibilities that surround us - not only the obvious news stories, but the faces, the biographies, the vernaculars... that reach even to our doorsteps... to attempt a theatre that entertains and informs".
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The original script is held by [[NELM]] in the [[Barney Simon]] collection (''1995. 11. 5. 7. 1.'') and was published in ''[[Born in the RSA: Four Workshopped Plays]]'' by [[Wits University Press]] in 1997.
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==Translations and adaptations==
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== Performance history in South Africa ==
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1985: Performed at the [[Market Theatre]] in March. Directed by [[Barney Simon]] with [[Nicky Rebelo]] (Klerks), [[Marius Weyers]] (Hennie), [[Gys de Villiers]] (Bles), [[Marié Human]] (Charmaine), [[Lida Meiring]] (Auntie Gwen), [[Marcel van Heerden]] (Boytie), [[James Whyle]] (Richard).  Designed by [[Anita Berman]]. Lighting design by [[Mannie Manim]].
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==Sources==
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''[[Outers]]'' programme notes in 1985.
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[[Ruphin Coudyzer]]. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of [[Market Theatre]] productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
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[[Barry Hough]]. 1985. "Simon kry groot name vir drama", ''[[Beeld]]'' (Kalender, p.1) 10 January, 1985.
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Photographs of the cast held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: SIMON, Barney]: 1995. 11. 13. 4. 13.
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Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
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== Return to ==
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Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]]
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Return to [[PLAYS II: Foreign plays]]
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Return to [[PLAYS III: Collections]]
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Return to [[PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances]]
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Return to [[South_African_Festivals|South African Festivals and Competitions]]
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Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
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Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 16:01, 1 January 2024

Outers is a workshopped play by Barney Simon (1932-1995), Nicky Rebelo (1958-) and Cast.

The original text

The idea for the documentary style play came from a writing project undertaken by Nicky Rebelo while a student at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1981, for which he made tape recordings of conversations with the down-and-outs of Joubert Park in Johannesburg and edited them into a text.

Rebelo's text formed the basis of the Outers project undertaken by Barney Simon at the Market Theatre in 1985. Simon gathered a select cast of seven talented performers to participate in the workshop process, during which they were sent into parks, streets and work-places of Johannesburg, "in character", to hunt for jobs, food, cigarettes, handouts and thus gaining a wealth of new and topical material as well as invaluable empathy for the people they moved among.

This initial research period was followed by a workshop process of five weeks under the direction of Barney Simon, in order to process the material and shape a performance text.

According to the programme notes for the original production, "Outers embodies Simon's credo as Artistic Director of the Market Theatre: 'to reflect our lives... to attempt a theatre that is alive to all dramatic possibilities that surround us - not only the obvious news stories, but the faces, the biographies, the vernaculars... that reach even to our doorsteps... to attempt a theatre that entertains and informs".

The original script is held by NELM in the Barney Simon collection (1995. 11. 5. 7. 1.) and was published in Born in the RSA: Four Workshopped Plays by Wits University Press in 1997.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1985: Performed at the Market Theatre in March. Directed by Barney Simon with Nicky Rebelo (Klerks), Marius Weyers (Hennie), Gys de Villiers (Bles), Marié Human (Charmaine), Lida Meiring (Auntie Gwen), Marcel van Heerden (Boytie), James Whyle (Richard). Designed by Anita Berman. Lighting design by Mannie Manim.

Sources

Outers programme notes in 1985.

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

Barry Hough. 1985. "Simon kry groot name vir drama", Beeld (Kalender, p.1) 10 January, 1985.

Photographs of the cast held by NELM: [Collection: SIMON, Barney]: 1995. 11. 13. 4. 13.

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