The Father: Formal Work Begins.

I begin formal work on Strindberg's The Father today.

I first came across this play as a high school student, at Machabeng College Lesotho.

I saw it at Maseru Club. A group of 'expatriate teachers' had formed a drama group and they performed this play.

I remember being blown away. First, at the central conflict of the play; then, how powerful Laura was, and thus how influential  a women could be in the domestic setting...

I was brought up by strong women so this was not what shook me. I guess I hadn't seen strength to the degree that Laura wielded it.

I resolved to put on the play one day.

The day is soon.

I see the story happening in an unspecified location.

I want the audience to get a sense of present day SA.

I would like there to be a projector, to fuse the play with imagery.

I meet, soon, with the stage manager to discuss preliminaries.