
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