The Old Man and the Sea

Overview

Following their successful run with The Snow Goose at The Fugard Theatre Studio, local theatre gem – Contagious Theatre returned with their interpretation of the Ernest Hemingway classic, The Old Man and the Sea, which opened on 30 July 2019.

The production was adapted by Nick Warren with Jenine Collocott and starred James Cairns, Taryn Bennett, and Jacques Da Silva. It featured an original soundtrack by Sue Grealy and was designed and directed by Jenine Collocott

Santiago is an old fisherman who hasn’t brought in a catch for 84 days. While the villagers pass judgments on his past and future, the old man heads far out into the Gulf of Mexico, where he hooks a giant marlin. And so begins his epic battle.

Details

First performance
30 July 2019

Final performance
24 August 2019

Venue
The Fugard Studio

Cast

Performed by
James Cairns
Taryn Bennett
Jaques de Silva

Creative team

Adapted by
Nick Warren with Jenine Collocott

Directed and designed by
Jenine Collocott

Original music by
Sue Grealy

Old Man puppet by
Alida van Deventer

Masks by
Jenine Collocott

Reviews

★★★★★
“The company employs its signature vocabulary of mask-work and puppetry to dazzlingly effect in bringing Hemingway’s award winning story live on stage.”

The Cape Robyn

“An intimate, imaginative, compact adaptation of a classic tale with subtle humour and heart.”

Theatre Scene Cape Town

“This imaginative adaptation captures the themes of brotherhood, life, death and the daily struggle for existence so well, and adapts it to a contemporary audience.”

Cape Town Etc

“Everyone involved is professional through and through. They are theatremakers of high order and their performance is impeccable.”

The Critter

“Collocott’s set is mesmerising. As are the trio of actors, each with their own particular presence. Stunning.”

Weekend Special

“As the audience exits the theatre, there are few who could fail to be moved, warmed, and charmed by this innovative and sensitive staging of a classic tale.”

Beverley Brommert

Production photos