uMabatha

uMabatha is a 1970 play written by South African playwright Welcome Msomi.[1] It is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth into the tribal Zulu culture of the early 19th century, and details how Mabatha overthrows Dangane.

Described as Msomi's "most famous" work,[2] uMabatha was written when Msomi was a student at the University of Natal; it was first performed at the University's open-air theater in 1971. In 1972, it was performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company's Aldwych Theatre as part of that year's World Theatre Season,[3] and has subsequently been performed in Italy, Scotland, Zimbabwe, and throughout America,[4] including a "very successful off-Broadway season in 1978".[5]

Reception

Peter Ustinov said that, before seeing uMabatha, he did not truly understand Macbeth.[6]

Nelson Mandela has said that "(t)he similarities between Shakespeare's Macbeth and our own Shaka become a glaring reminder that the world is, philosophically, a very small place."[4]

References

  1. ^ Brantlet, Ben (27 July 1997). "UMABATHA: THE ZULU MACBETH (When Birnam Wood Comes To South Africa, Look Out)". New York Times. http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9B07E2D6133BF930A15754C0A961958260. Retrieved October 5, 2009. 
  2. ^ "Daphney Hlomuka: Much-loved actress". The Times. 5 October 2008. http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article80386.ece. Retrieved October 5, 2009. 
  3. ^ "Umabatha, West End (1972)". Broadway World International Database. http://broadwayworld.com/bwidb/productions/Umabatha_8501/. Retrieved October 14, 2009. 
  4. ^ a b "'UMABATHA -- The Zulu Macbeth' Celebrates Origins of Zulu Nation With Drama, Music and Dance Oct. 2-5 at Wiltern". UCLA News. 19 August 1997. http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/archives/O/a/ucl1212.shtml. Retrieved October 5, 2009. 
  5. ^ "Shakespeare in South Africa: African Appropriations". Internet Shakespeare. http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/Criticism/shakespearein/sa7.html. Retrieved October 14, 2009. 
  6. ^ McNeil Jr., Donald G (6 July 1997). "A New Stage for South Africa". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/06/theater/a-new-stage-for-south-africa.html?pagewanted=all. Retrieved October 10, 2009. 

External links

Characters
Scenes and speeches
Literary adaptations
Film and theatre adaptations
Macbeth on film