About the Play:

The Story of an African Farm is a full-length drama by Marion Baraitser. An original adaptation of Olive Schreiner's astonishing novel published in 1883, which broke the grounds of Victorianism and brought overnight fame to the brilliant young Anglo-South African feminist and free thinker. This intelligent and atmospheric dramatization tells the story of two English cousins growing up in the vast emptiness of a South African semi-desert in the 1860s. The children battle silently and alone as they grow aware of the untrustworthiness of the adult world.

The Story of an African Farm charts the coming of age of three young people of mixed descent, growing up in the semi-desert of the Karoo region of South Africa in the 1860's. Lyndall, Em, and Waldo try to throw off the constraints of adolescence and express themselves in the dangerous, shifting, and many-layered world beyond the farm. This dramatization explores their uncertain thoughts and dreams, and their need for fulfilment through sex, work, and love.

The Story of an African Farm was developed for the Royal National Theatre Studio, commissioned and broadcast on Radio 4 and was produced in 2000 at the Young Vic in London.

Cast: 2 female, 3 male

What people say:

"A clever and cohesive dramatization... Brilliant." — Myer Taub, Market Theatre, Johannesburg

"Beautiful poetry, fearlessly experimental, endlessly inventive and frequently inspired." — City Limits

"Bitingly satirical ... as powerful a comment on social convention as is to be found anywhere on the London Stage." — What's On

About the Playwright:

Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) was a South African author, anti-war campaigner and intellectual. She is best remembered today for her novel The Story of an African Farm which has been highly acclaimed ever since its first publication in 1883. It was an immediate success and has become recognized as one of the first feminist novels.

Marion Baraitser is a award-winning British playwright, short story writer, translator, and editor. She took an M.A. in English Literature at Witwatersrand University, then worked as a teacher and journalist before settling in London. She was tutor in English Literature for Birkbeck Extramural Department, London University for many years and taught Creative Writing for Morley College, City Lit Institute, Women's Theatre Workshop. She lives in London with her children and husband.