Gail Louw Collected Plays

Four plays, four iconic characters Blonde Poison: Stella Goldschlag, a Jewish woman living illegally in war-torn Berlin, is betrayed and tortured. When offered the chance of saving herself and her parents from the death camps, she agrees to be a ‘Greifer’ for the Gestapo and inform on Jews in hiding. Decades after the war Stella agrees to be interviewed by a well-respected journalist – her last chance for redemption. Can she ever be released from her past? Blonde Poison was the winner of an Argus Angel Award for artistic excellence (Brighton Festival 2012). Miss Dierich Regrets A moving two-hander which depicts the end of Marlene’s life, now a recluse within the confines of her bedroom. Her daughter, Maria, has tried unsuccessfully to move her to a care home, but Dietrich believes this will destroy the glamorous femme fatale image that she has fought so long to preserve. Shackleton's Carpenter: Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, sank in Antarctica, leaving him and his crew of 27 stranded. Harry McNish, Shackleton’s carpenter and brilliant shipwright, challenged The Boss, but went all the way with him, ensuring all lives were saved after a journey universally agreed to be the most astonishing voyage of survival in history What was it that caused this man to antagonise the hero of Antarctica? How does he come to terms with it now, alone and destitute on the wharfs of Wellington, New Zealand. Two Sisters: Is it possible to lose your innocence at 70? Rika and Edith, close and caring sisters, finally discover the truth about their past. Can they adapt or will they now, after all these years, become strangers? This heartwarmng play reveals the sweetness and sadness of journeys through life that are inextricably entwined.

The second collection of plays from Gail Louw, including the plays Duwayne, The Mitfords, The Half Life of Love and Joe Ho Ho. DUWAYNE: Traumatised by his best friend's murder, Duwayne Brooks was treated as a potential criminal instead of a witness. He faced years of torment by those who should have been on his side. He survived Stephen Lawrence's killers, but can he survive the Met? THE MITFORDS: Diana was married to Oswald Mosley and a lifelong fascist. Unity was a great close friend of Hitler. Jessica was a dyes-in-the-wool communist. Nancy was a well-loved novelist. This one-woman play follows four of the Mitford Sisters and their part in the world changing events of the twentieth century. THE HALF LIFE OF LOVE: Junot Diaz said the half life of love is forever. It remains toxic, poisoning life long after love is over. How does love and nurture turn to rejection and hatred? JOE HO HO: The parallels of Linda's life are extreme; on the one hand is the deep despair of life with a demented mother. On the other is a life of passion and sex with Joe, the man of her dreams. Using humour and tension, the play explores how the mind deals with pain and destruction.

A third collection of plays by South African writer, Gail Louw. Includes the plays The Ice Cream Boys, Being Brahms, A Life Twice Given, and Killing Faith.

The second collection of plays from Gail Louw, including the plays Duwayne, The Mitfords, The Half Life of Love and Joe Ho Ho. DUWAYNE: Traumatised by his best friend's murder, Duwayne Brooks was treated as a potential criminal instead of a witness. He faced years of torment by those who should have been on his side. He survived Stephen Lawrence's killers, but can he survive the Met? THE MITFORDS: Diana was married to Oswald Mosley and a lifelong fascist. Unity was a great close friend of Hitler. Jessica was a dyes-in-the-wool communist. Nancy was a well-loved novelist. This one-woman play follows four of the Mitford Sisters and their part in the world changing events of the twentieth century. THE HALF LIFE OF LOVE: Junot Diaz said the half life of love is forever. It remains toxic, poisoning life long after love is over. How does love and nurture turn to rejection and hatred? JOE HO HO: The parallels of Linda's life are extreme; on the one hand is the deep despair of life with a demented mother. On the other is a life of passion and sex with Joe, the man of her dreams. Using humour and tension, the play explores how the mind deals with pain and destruction.

Blonde Poison is based on the true story of a Jewish woman during World War II who betrayed up to 3,000 fellow Jews. Gail Louw's powerful play examines the motivation of evil. Stella Goldschlag was living illegally in war-torn Berlin when she herself was betrayed and tortured. When offered the chance of saving herself and her parents from the death camps, she agreed to be a 'Greifer' for the Gestapo and inform on Jews in hiding. She was extraordinarily successful in this and her activities increased after her parents had finally been deported. The vast dimensions of Stella's character range from tortured victim to cruel killer, from loving daughter to betrayer of friends, from gentle lover to depraved promiscuity. She was given the name 'Blonde Poison' by the Gestapo who revelled in her treachery. Decades after the war Stella agrees to be interviewed by a well-respected journalist – her last chance for redemption. Can she ever be released from her past? Winner of an Argus Angel Award for artistic excellence (Brighton Festival 2012). Winner of the San Francisco Best Fringe Award 2016.

There may be no loss as devastating as losing one’s child. Who then could fault the Jacobsons, overwhelmed by anguish, for accepting the help of a scientific cabal promising to clone their son Joey? Though Joey’s promising second life will lead to love and a good job with the CIA, he remains unaware of the circumstances, and the deleterious consequences, of his existence. When tragedy strikes, Joey must come to terms with the mystery of his past and the uncertainty of his future. A Life Twice Given, the captivating debut novel from David Daniel, is a masterwork of speculative fiction inspired by the author’s personal loss. Daniel delivers an immaculately crafted, genuinely human portrait of a future both idyllic and dystopic.

There are some enemies you'd wait a lifetime to see face-to-face. Charismatic, corrupt and dangerous, Jacob Zuma was until recently President of South Africa. But before Zuma came to power, Ronnie Kasrils masterminded the intelligence services. Now at last they're alone together. When you've been betrayed, it's never too late to settle old scores.