The Road to Mecca was presented at the
Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven, Connecticut, in May 1984. Directed by Fugard, the cast starred
Carmen Mathews (Helen), Marianne Owen (Elsa), and
Tom Aldredge (Marius). The play was performed at the
National Theatre Littleton Theatre in
London in February to July 1985. It was then presented at the
Spoleto Festival USA in May 1987, starring Athol Fugard as the Rev. Marius Byleveld,
Charlotte Cornwell as Elsa Barlow, and
Yvonne Bryceland as Miss Helen. Cornwell and Bryceland were also in the National Theatre production. Fugard had written the part of Helen for Yvonne Bryceland. When he and the Lincoln Center Theater Company were in talks in 1985 to have the play produced there, Bryceland was not permitted to perform the role in the United States by
Actors Equity. The issue began in early 1984, when Fugard and Lloyd Richards, the artistic director of the Yale Repertory Theater, asked for permission for her to perform in the Yale Rep production; the request was denied. She was subsequently allowed to perform at the Spoletto Festival. The union finally permitted Bryceland to perform in the United States. The play premiered
Off-Broadway at the Promenade Theatre on 12 April 1988 and closed on 11 September 1988 after 172 performances. Directed by Fugard, he also starred as Marius Byleveld; the cast featured Yvonne Bryceland as Miss Helen and
Amy Irving as Elsa Barlow.
John Lee Beatty was the Set Designer,
Susan Hilferty, Costume Designer and
Dennis Parichy, Lighting Designer. The play won the 1988
New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Foreign Play and the 1987-1988
Obie Awards for Outstanding Performances, Yvonne Bryceland. ==1991 film adaptation==