Wednesday 8 October 2008

The Robben Island Bible Project

I am developing a play based on Mr. Sony Venkatrathnam's copy of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, infamously known as the 'Robben Island Bible'. Theatre Director Matthew Hahn is developing a devised play with former political prisoners & South African actors to present a full production in South Africa.

The play will intertwine the Shakespearian text chosen by the political prisoners along with dialogue taken from interviews with them. It will use the stories behind the men’s choices as the backbone of the production which aims to inform and entertain a wide-reaching audience.

The project has gained the support of many prominent South Africans and international organisations including the South African High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ms Lindiwe Mabuza, Tony Award winning actor Dr. John Kani, British Council in South Africa and St. Mary’s University College in London. To date, we also have the support of three of the men who signed the ‘bible’: Mr. Venkatrathnam, Mr. Michael Dingake & Mr. Eddie Daniels.
If you would like more information about this project, please contact us on:

+ 27 (0) 788547929 (South Africa), +44 (0) 78`6 334 897 (United Kingdom) or visit our website.