Camus' influence on Fugard is already well-documented. There is a dissertation written on this topic for the late Al Wertheim (his book also discusses this influence at length). I believe there was also a dissertation written at NYU on the relationship of Camus' Algerian writings on Fugard's political orientation as a self-identified Afrikaner as well. One would have to be more cautious about attributing the same level of influence to Sartre, however.

All best,

Jay

I agree about the influence of Camus on Fugard.

There are some obvious direct influences.  Fugard directed Camus´ play The Just, and his own version of Orestes has some similarities, in terms of plot, with the terrorists in The Just.  And Fugard´s underrated play Dimetos was based on a paragraph from Camus´ Notebooks.

In Dennis Walder´s book on Fugard (the 2003 book- he has two books on Fugard) he quotes Camus “I must bear witness.  When I see things clearly, I have only one thing to say.  It is this life of poverty, among the vain or humble people, that I have most certainly touched what I feel is the true meaning of life”.  That could easily apply to Fugard.

Fugard´s Notebooks mention The Outsider (”the paradox of starting to live when life is over” and The Rebel (“The further I get into it the more light does it bring into those dark and obscure corners of my thinking”).
 
Generally I have the feeling Fugard was heavily influenced by the novels and non-fiction but less so by Camus´ plays.  Camus is a novelist who has done some interesting but not great plays.

What do you think?

Iain