''I.D.'' is a

historical History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

Antony Sher Sir Antony Sher (14 June 1949 – 2 December 2021) was a British actor, writer and theatre director of South African origin. A two-time Laurence Olivier Award winner and a four-time nominee, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1982 a ...

. It debuted on 4 September 2003 at London's

Almeida Theatre The Almeida Theatre, opened in 1980, is a 325-seat producing house with an international reputation, which takes its name from the street on which it is located, off Upper Street, in the London Borough of Islington. The theatre produces a di ...

, directed by

Nancy Meckler Nancy Meckler is an American theatre and film director, known for her work in the United Kingdom with Shared Experience, where she was a joint artistic director alongside Polly Teale. Life and career Nancy Meckler was born and educated in the ...

. The play is adapted from the book ''A Mouthful of Glass'' by

Henk van Woerden Henk van Woerden (; 6 December 1947 – 16 November 2005) was a Dutch painter and writer with close ties to South Africa. Biography He was born in Leiden. In 1956 he emigrated with his family to Cape Town, South Africa. Van Woerden matriculate ...

, and follows the events surrounding the trial and imprisonment of the mentally unstable Demetrios Tsafendas, who in 1966 assassinated

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring count ...

n Prime Minister

Hendrik Verwoerd Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd (; 8 September 1901 – 6 September 1966) was a South African politician, a scholar of applied psychology and sociology, and chief editor of ''Die Transvaler'' newspaper. He is commonly regarded as the architect ...

Original cast

The original cast included:Sher, Antony. 2003. ''I.D.'' London: Nick Hern Books, p. 12. *Jon Cartwright as Gavronsky, Buytendag, Gomez *Jonathan Duff as Pratt, Muller, Dr. Fisher *

Alex Ferns Alexander Ferns (born 13 October 1968) is a Scottish actor and television personality, best known for his '' EastEnders'' role as Trevor Morgan, who was described as "Britain's most-hated soap villain" when he played the role between 2000 and 20 ...

as Lintwurm * Paul Herzberg as

John Vorster Balthazar Johannes "B. J." Vorster (; also known as John Vorster; 13 December 1915 – 10 September 1983) was a South African apartheid politician who served as the prime minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978 and the fourth state presiden ...

, Kriel *Peter Landi as Father Daniels, Manolis * Lucian Msamati as Sipho *Oscar Pierce as City Gent, Schalk, Nikki, Junior Clerk *

as Demetrios Tsafendas * Cleo Sylvestre as Helen Daniels, Daisy *Christopher Wells as Frank Waring, Judge Pienaar * Marius Weyers as Hendrik Verwoerd *Jennifer Woodburne as Betsie Verwoerd

Other original production credits

*Author: Antony Sher *Director:

*Composer: Ilona Sekacz *Set Design: Katrina Lindsay *Lighting: Johanna Town *Choreographer: Scarlett Mackmin *Sound: John Leonard *South Africa Music Consultant: Sello Maake ka Ncube

Other productions

''I.D.'' had its New Zealand premiere at BATS Theatre in Wellington on 4 October 2005, starring Malcolm Murray as Tsafendas, Benjamin Fransham as Verwoerd and Alex Greig as Lintwurm. The cast also included Erin Banks, Miria George, Salesi Le'ota, Hadleigh Walker, James Stewart and Tony Hopkins. It was produced by The Bacchanals and directed by David Lawrence. At the 2005 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards ''I.D.'' won the awards for Production of the Year, Director of the Year, Actor of the Year (Malcolm Murray) and Supporting Actor of the Year (Alex Greig).

References

{{2000s-play-stub 2003 plays