Fugard's The Train Driver Will Receive South African Premiere in 2010

By Adam Hetrick
November 23, 2009

Athol Fugard's latest play, The Train Driver, will make its world premiere at a South African theatre named in his honor in early 2010.

A new development project in Cape Town's District Six will convert a textile warehouse into a 270-seat venue to be named the Fugard Theatre, according to Portobello Film and Theatre productions. The Fugard will serve as the home of the Isango Portobello Theatre Company.

Fugard is announced to direct the world premiere of The Train Driver when the new South African venue opens in February 2010.

The Long Wharf Theatre, which staged the world premiere of Fugard's Coming Home and currently hosts the premiere of his American-set play Have You Seen Us?, is strongly considering The Train Driver for the 2011-2012 season at the Connecticut venue, according to a press representative.

Fugard's plays include Blood Knot, Boesman and Lena, Sizwe Bansi is Dead, The Island, Master Harold and the Boys, My Children! My Africa!, Exits and Entrances, Victory, Bootjie and the Oubaas and Visions and Dreams.