Island, The: An Historic Piece?

Synopsis

Athol Fugard and John Kani, who together with Winston Ntshona devised ‘The Island’, trace the background of this fiercely funny and critical play. Set in the South African prison of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held for many years, the play tells the story of Winston Ntshona and John Kani’s struggle to produce a two-man version of Sophocles’ ‘Antigone’. Brief indication is also given of the changes brought about in South Africa since that time and the relationship of South African theatre to those changes. Contains extracts from ‘The Island’ by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona; ‘Sizwe Banzi is Dead’ by Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona; ‘My Children, My Africa’ by Athol Fugard. Includes black-and-white footage from 1957 and 1964, plus material from 1990 when Nelson Mandela was released.

Series

Literature in the Modern World, Course A319

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 25 min.

Year of production

1991

Availability

Off-air recording licence
Sale; 2000 sale: £145.00 (+VAT +p&p)

Notes

Updated 1996. (AVRC tape is older version.)

Subjects

Drama; English language and literature

Keywords

Fugard, Athol; Kani, John; Ntshona, Winston; Sophocles; South Africa

Credits

Producer

Tony Coe

Cast

Dennis Walder

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk