Cast

Under the Oaks was showcased at the PACT Liquifruit Pot Pourri Festival in September 1984. Corky was played by James Borthwick, Richard by Graham Hopkins and Beatrice by Jenny Sharp.

In December 1984, it was performed as part of the Oude Libertas Summer Festival in Stellenbosch, with James Borthwick as Corky, Neil McCarthy as Richard and Jenny Sharp as Beatrice.

In July 1985 it began a national tour (as part of a double-bill with Over the Hill) at the Grahamstown Standard Bank Festival of the Arts, with James Borthwick as Corky, Jonathan Rands as Richard and Kate Edwards as Beatrice.

In the past, I have encouraged directors/actors to update the names of the players as they change with each passing season. Now, however, the oaks have gone. They were chopped down in mid-1993 to make way for the ‘new’ Newlands. I suggest that future producers stick to the present text which is set before the destruction of the oaks.

Paul Slabolepszy

The Oaks. Newlands Cricket Ground.

The set comprises a section of The Oaks enclosure and should include at least four rows of benches, each higher than the one in front.

On the back-support strip of wood that runs the length of each row are numbers. It is not particularly important where they start as long as all rows end with the number 41 on the aisle (stage left), for example 36 – 37 – 38 – 39 – 40 – 41.

In front of the first row (ground level) runs a small white picket fence denoting the boundary. The benches themselves are painted ‘sports-field’ green. They look well weathered and are speckled here and there with offerings from countless feathered offenders residing in the oaks above.

Before the play begins the set is bare. All we hear is the odd cry from peanut vendors, ice cream sellers and so on. Over the public address we hear a stretched tape playing military marches, old favourites and the like – the music should sound monotonous rather than stirring.

A large individual appears at the top of the aisle with much huffing, puffing and climbing.