EXILED Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe will shine in Johannesburg from Wednesday at the Windybrow Theatre. His famous novel has been put on stage and is sure to help school pupils.
EXILED Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe will shine in Johannesburg from Wednesday at the Windybrow Theatre. His famous novel has been put on stage and is sure to help school pupils.
It is the first time that Things Fall Apart, which has achieved classic status and is rated number 14 on Newsweek's 2009 list of Top 100 Books, has been adapted for the stage anywhere in the world.
The novel was adapted by local writer Thapelo Motloung, who also directed the play.
"It is quite a difficult novel for learners to grasp because it is a complex story with many characters and interactions," says Motloung.
"The story deals with unique aspects of Nigerian culture.
Though there is an overlap with South African culture, a solid understanding of the Nigerian specifics is essential to comprehending the novel."
Motloung, acclaimed for his South African adaptation of classics such asJulius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet, is excited about the challenge of being the first to adapt Things Fall Apart for the stage.
"When I contacted the US and UK publishers they were appreciative that at last someone was going to adapt Achebe's classic to another format.
"It was also a supreme test of my writing skills. My goal was to present the theme, story and characters in a way that is accessible to Grade 11 learners, so I added the role of a narrator to the play. At the same time, I wanted to produce a work that stayed true to the novel's original spirit and intent, an adaptation that Achebe himself would approve of and that would resonate with Nigerians. As such, the production fits perfectly with Windybrow's broader vision of becoming a truly pan-African theatre," he says.
The cast comprises Siyabonga Hlatswayo (Okonkwo), Dallas Sibusiso Kunene (Narrator), Themba Judas Mavundla (Unoka/Awkwi), Khanyisile Vilakazi (Mother), Princess Hlatshwayo (Ikwefi), Louis Junior Molefe ( Ikemefune/Obierika), Molebogeng Masisi (Chika/Ojiugo/Chielo), Allen Cebekhulu (Okoye), Charles Sello Mphana (Zeugo/Zeudu) Bonkosi Ngwane (Uchendu), Katlego Makgopela (Nwoye), Andile Innocent Mbatha (Nwakibie) and Diana Maseko (Ezenma).
Supreme test for local writer
EXILED Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe will shine in Johannesburg from Wednesday at the Windybrow Theatre. His famous novel has been put on stage and is sure to help school pupils.
EXILED Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe will shine in Johannesburg from Wednesday at the Windybrow Theatre. His famous novel has been put on stage and is sure to help school pupils.
It is the first time that Things Fall Apart, which has achieved classic status and is rated number 14 on Newsweek's 2009 list of Top 100 Books, has been adapted for the stage anywhere in the world.
The novel was adapted by local writer Thapelo Motloung, who also directed the play.
"It is quite a difficult novel for learners to grasp because it is a complex story with many characters and interactions," says Motloung.
"The story deals with unique aspects of Nigerian culture.
Though there is an overlap with South African culture, a solid understanding of the Nigerian specifics is essential to comprehending the novel."
Motloung, acclaimed for his South African adaptation of classics such asJulius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet, is excited about the challenge of being the first to adapt Things Fall Apart for the stage.
"When I contacted the US and UK publishers they were appreciative that at last someone was going to adapt Achebe's classic to another format.
"It was also a supreme test of my writing skills. My goal was to present the theme, story and characters in a way that is accessible to Grade 11 learners, so I added the role of a narrator to the play. At the same time, I wanted to produce a work that stayed true to the novel's original spirit and intent, an adaptation that Achebe himself would approve of and that would resonate with Nigerians. As such, the production fits perfectly with Windybrow's broader vision of becoming a truly pan-African theatre," he says.
The cast comprises Siyabonga Hlatswayo (Okonkwo), Dallas Sibusiso Kunene (Narrator), Themba Judas Mavundla (Unoka/Awkwi), Khanyisile Vilakazi (Mother), Princess Hlatshwayo (Ikwefi), Louis Junior Molefe ( Ikemefune/Obierika), Molebogeng Masisi (Chika/Ojiugo/Chielo), Allen Cebekhulu (Okoye), Charles Sello Mphana (Zeugo/Zeudu) Bonkosi Ngwane (Uchendu), Katlego Makgopela (Nwoye), Andile Innocent Mbatha (Nwakibie) and Diana Maseko (Ezenma).
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