ATHOL FUGARD'S THE BLUE IRIS SET FOR THE FUGARD STUDIO IN JULY. Eric Abraham, the Fugard Theatre in association with Mannie Manim, and The National Arts Festival proudly present Athol Fugard's The Blue Iris, from 4th July 2012 for a limited season at the Fugard Theatre in District 6, in Cape Town. The Fugard Theatre continues its celebration of Athol Fugard's 80th birthday year with a production of his latest play - The Blue Iris - at the Fugard Theatre Studio, following its brief World Premiere run at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in June. Earlier this year the Fugard presented an immensely powerful and moving production of Fugard's Statements After An Arrest Under The Immorality Act which played to full houses. Set in Athol Fugard's beloved Karoo this tender story revolves around the gradual disintegration of a marriage through misunderstanding, neglect and disappointment as told in the reminiscences and regrets of widower farmer Robert Hannay and the heart-wrenching sadness of his loyal farm worker and wife's companion - Rieta. The Blue Iris dissects the pain of missed opportunity and emotional disconnection touching us all to the core. It is Athol Fugard at his most honest, gentle and introspective. The Blue Iris previews from the 4th July and opens on the 7th July 2012 and runs for a limited season until 28 July in Cape Town before moving to the Market Theatre in Johannesburg in August.