UMabatha
Encyclopedia
uMabatha is a 1970 play
written by South Africa
n playwright Welcome Msomi. 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, 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
, and has subsequently been performed in Italy, Scotland, Zimbabwe, and throughout America, including a "very successful off-Broadway
season in 1978".
said that, before seeing uMabatha, he did not truly understand Macbeth.
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."
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
written by South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n playwright Welcome Msomi. It is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
into the tribal Zulu culture of the early 19th century, and details how Mabatha overthrows Dangane
King Duncan
King Duncan is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Macbeth. He is the father of two youthful sons , and the victim of a well-plotted regicide in a power grab by his trusted captain Macbeth...
.
Described as Msomi's "most famous" work, uMabatha was written when Msomi was a student at the University of Natal
University of Natal
The University of Natal was a university in Natal, and later KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg, and expanded to include a campus in Durban in 1931. In 1947, the university...
; it was first performed at the University's open-air theater in 1971. In 1972, it was performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
's Aldwych Theatre
Aldwych Theatre
The Aldwych Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Aldwych in the City of Westminster. The theatre was listed Grade II on 20 July 1971. Its seating capacity is 1,200.-Origins:...
as part of that year's World Theatre Season
World Theatre Season
The World Theatre Season was a festival of foreign plays held annually at the Royal Shakespeare Company's Aldwych Theatre in London from 1964 to 1973, with a final season in 1975. It originated as a one-off celebration in 1964 organised by Peter Daubeny and the Royal Shakespeare Company as part of...
, and has subsequently been performed in Italy, Scotland, Zimbabwe, and throughout America, including a "very successful off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
season in 1978".
Reception
Peter UstinovPeter Ustinov
Peter Alexander Ustinov CBE was an English actor, writer and dramatist. He was also renowned as a filmmaker, theatre and opera director, stage designer, author, screenwriter, comedian, humourist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter...
said that, before seeing uMabatha, he did not truly understand Macbeth.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
has said that "(t)he similarities between Shakespeare's Macbeth and our own Shaka
Shaka
Shaka kaSenzangakhona , also known as Shaka Zulu , was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom....
become a glaring reminder that the world is, philosophically, a very small place."