From the Producers of ‘The Revlon Girl’ comes an all-new, original production starring Natasha Sutherland, Michelle Douglas and newcomer Lauren Urmson. This year, 2020, marks the centenary anniversary of the passing of Olive Schreiner (died 11 Dec 1920), and Breathing Space celebrates the life of this great ‘daughter of South Africa’ through the lens of excerpts of her own writing, mainly through her letters.
Suffering from severe asthma, Olive Schreiner spent much of her life as a ‘wandering Jew’ in the elusive search for a place where she could, literally and figuratively, breathe more easily. She knew all too well the plight of the displaced, the homeless and the outcast. Deeply moved by the suffering of others, this remarkable visionary, mystic, prophet, activist, social and political reformer ‘wrote with her blood’ and fought the fight of the marginalised. Her quest was not merely one of finding personal ‘breathing space’ but one of finding breathing space for all.
Exploring Olive’s life mainly through her correspondence and journals, Breathing Space delves deeper and gives a glimpse into the greater complexities and subtleties of this woman who was ahead of her time.
Cast:
Rebekah Schreiner Natasha Sutherland
Olive Schreiner Michelle Douglas
Young Olive Schreiner Lauren Urmson
Directed by Alan Farber
Theatre Director Michelle Douglas
Written by Michelle Douglas
Director of Photography Justus de Jager
Editor and Sound Bevan Visser
Production Manager/Stage Manager/Art Department Loren Nel
Make up Sigrid Shaw
Make up Assistant / Runner Carmen Gerber
Production Assistant Gavin Joffe
With special thanks to Dave Robinson, Debbie Joffe, Neil and Linda Urmson