South African Playwright Popular in the West

Posted by admin on July 23rd, 2009 filed in Travel

Athol Fugard is a South African playwright who was born in Middleburg, Eastern Cape in 1932. He is also an actor, director and novelist who is well known for his politically oriented works and his opinions and social perspectives. He is a strong opponent to Apartheid and much of his work focuses on this oppressive social system. Fugard remains active late in his life, he is currently 77, and works as an adjunct faculty member teaching playwrighting at California State University, San Diego. Many of the South Africa five star hotels have information on local productions by this great writer.

Fugard has won numerous awards throughout his career. The film Tsotsi, which was based on his novel of the same name won the Academy Award in 2005. The film was directed by Gavin Hood, who also wrote the screenplay. Tsotsi’s story revolves around the main character, who also lends his name to the film’s title, a common street thug who happens to steal a car that has a baby in the back seat. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2005 he received the Order of Ikhamanaga in Silver for his excellent contributions and achievements in theatre.

His play The Blood Knot was produced at the Off Broadway theatre Cricket Theatre in 1964, which launched his American career. The production was produced by Lucille Lortel and starred James Earl Jones and J.D. Cannon. Fugard stared in the Broadway production of the play in 1986 at the John Golden Theatre. He is probably most known for his play Master Harold and the Boys. It was first produced at Yale Repertory Theatre in 1982 before premiering on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play and won The Drama Desk Award. There is currently a film version of the play being produced in South Africa.