Shakespeare in Love

Overview

The Fugard Theatre presented the South African premiere of Shakespeare in Love on the Fugard main stage from 10 October 2017. Written by Lee Hall and adapted from the Academy Award-winning (1999) screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman, the comedy ran for an extended sold-out season at the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre in London in 2014. This South African premiere features 20 actors and a dog and was directed by the Fugard Theatre’s resident director Greg Karvellas.

Young Will Shakespeare has writer’s block … the deadline for his new play is fast approaching, but he desperately needs inspiration. That is until he finds his muse – Viola. This beautiful young woman is Will’s greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play. Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will’s love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece.”

Details

First season
10 October–25 November 2017

Second season
14 August–6 October 2018

Venue
Main Theatre

Cast

Will Shakespeare, Ensemble
Dylan Edy (2017)
Daniel Mpilo Richards (2018)

Lady Viola de Lesseps, Thomas Kent, Ensemble
Roxane Hayward (2017/2018)

Queen Elizabeth, Kate, Ensemble, Accent Coach
Robyn Scott (2017/2018)

Lord Wessex, Ensemble
Jason K. Ralph (2017/2018)

Fennyman
John Maytham (2017/2018)

Ned Alleyn, Ensemble
Nicholas Pauling (2017/2018)

Christopher “Kit” Marlowe, Peter, Tybalt, Ensemble
Theo Landey (2017)
Armand Aucamp (2018)

Henslowe, Ensemble
Darron Araujo (2017/2018)

Richard Burbage, Ensemble
Mark Elderkin (2017/2018)

Nurse, Ensemble
Lucy Tops (2017/2018)

Ralph, Ensemble
Adrian Collins (2017/2018)

Tilney, Robert de Lesseps, Ensemble
Walter van Dyk (2017/2018)

Mr Wabash, Ensemble
Louis Viljoen (2017/2018)

John Webster, Ensemble
Nathan Lynn (2017)
Dean Balie (2018)

Mistress Quickly, Waitress, Lady in Waiting, Molly, Ensemble
Bianca Flanders (2017)
Kathleen Stephens (2018)

Sam, Ensemble
Sven Ruygrok (2017/2018)

Nol, Ensemble
Andrew Roux (2017)
Pierre Malherbe (2018)

Frees, Adam, Ensemble
Sizo Mahlangu (2017)
Alex Tops (2018)

Robin, Catling, Lady Capulet, Ensemble
Lamar Bonhomme (2017)
Rendani Mufamadi (2018)

Ensemble/Dance Captain
Rachel Mertens (2017/2018)

The Dog
Bogart (2017/2018)

Creative team

Based on the screenplay by
Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard

Adapted for the stage by
Lee Hall

Music by
Paddy Cunneen

Originally produced on the West End by
Disney Theatrical Productions & Sonia Friedman Productions, directed by Declan Donnellan, and designed by Nick Ormerod

Director
Greg Karvellas

Producer
Eric Abraham

Co-Producer
Daniel Galloway

Associate Producer
Lamees Albertus

Junior Associate Producer
Georgia Lahusen

Set Designer
Paul Wills

Associate Set Designer
Chris Pienaar

Lighting Designer
Wolf Britz

Choreographer
Kristin Wilson

Sound Designer, Sound Systems Tech
David Classen

Fight Choreographer
Jon Keevy

Costume Sourcing and Styling
Birrie le Roux
Widaad Albertus

Musical Supervisor
Charl-Johan Lingenfelder

Set Construction
Gerhard Morkel
Carl Gersbach for CHG Engineering

Scenic Painting
Eloise Milward for Scene Visual Productions

Costumes Supplied by
The Royal Shakespeare Company Angels & Artscape

Production team

Production Manager
Roberto Grové

Technical Manager, Lighting Programmer
Benjamin Du Plessis

Stage Manager
Juanita van Wyk

Assistant Stage Manager
Shawn Crow

Sound Operator
Melissa George

Mic Tech
Dawood Clarke

Production Assistant
Shayna Gleave

Crew
Clynt Hlubi
Achmat Khroodien
Angelo Peterson
Clarence Ceaser

Dressers
Nazrine Geyer
Frances Moerdyk
Beaura Jacobs

Sound Supplier
Eastern Acoustics

Prop Construction
Koos Marais

Photography
Daniel Rutland Manners

Animal Wrangler
Nicole Jennings for Animal Tails

Publicity
Christine Skinner

Reviews

★★★★★
“A delight from start to finish…A joyous affirmation of the power of theatre… the ensemble is near flawless”

Cape Argus

★★★★

Die Burger

“Great escapism with a theatrical twist”

Theatre Scene

“A comedy with poignant moments, a tragedy within a farce, Black Adder meets the Bard in this extremely entertaining – and very clever – adaptation.”

Weekend Special

“We’re smitten with this local production”

The Juice

Video