uMabatha is a 1970 play written by South African playwright Welcome Msomi.[1] It is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth set in the Zulu Kingdom during 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] while Gregory Doran stated that the 1995 Johannesburg production of uMabatha was "the best production of [Macbeth]" he had ever seen.[7]

In response to the 1995 Johannesburg production, Nelson Mandela told Msomi 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)". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  2. ↑ "Daphney Hlomuka: Much-loved actress". The Times. 5 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  3. ↑ "Umabatha, West End (1972)". Broadway World International Database. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  4. 1 2 "'UMABATHA -- The Zulu Macbeth' Celebrates Origins of Zulu Nation With Drama, Music and Dance Oct. 2-5 at Wiltern". UCLA News. 19 August 1997. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  5. ↑ "Shakespeare in South Africa: African Appropriations". Internet Shakespeare. Archived from the original on 30 March 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  6. ↑ McNeil Jr., Donald G (6 July 1997). "A New Stage for South Africa". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  7. ↑ Woza Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus in South Africa, by Gregory Doran and Antony Sher; published 1996 by Bloomsbury Publishing
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