Gail Louw

‘You’re my special girl.’ It’s such a bloody cliché. Larry said that, he said, ‘it’s a cliché’. He could’ve said, you’re my favourite one. Or you’re the one I love the most. But then love could mean something else, couldn’t it? The whole family knew he was a good dad. A really good dad. And Donna was special; he loved her the most. So why is Donna in prison? Based on real events from the 1980s, The Good Dad is a haunting family drama by multi-award winning playwright Gail Louw. Told from the unique perspectives of mother, daughter and sister, this three-time Off West End Award nominated solo show is presented in support of the charity Victim Support.This edition was published to coincide with the run at The Space at Surgeons’ Hall, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, in August 2023.

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.

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 by Gail Louw, including the plays Duwayne, The Mitfords, The Half Life of Love and Joe Ho Ho.

Four plays, four iconic charactersBlonde 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.

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.