F.W. Boonzaier

From ESAT
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

F.W. Boonzaier (1901-1963) was an Afrikaans dramatist, poet and author.

Biography

Born Fritz Wilhelm Boonzaier on 8 December 1901 in Vryburg, in the district of Victoria West. Had his schooling in Carnarvon and Houtbaai, Cape Town.

In December 1915 he began working for the newly founded Nasionale Pers Beperk, and would remain there for his whole working life. Initally working as a setter, he later became a chief proofreader and finally sales manager for the Nasionale Handelsdrukkery.

He soon evolved into a competent author, writing poetry and prose and plays. Best known perhaps for his plays, he was also considered a competent amateur actor, inter alia appearing in the charity performances put on for the lepers on Robben Island for more than 20 years.

Having retired because of illness at the end of August in 1959, he passed away at the age of 62 in 1963, leaving a wife and four children.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Besides his appearances in amateur plays, he was the author of a number of Afrikaans plays in the style of Melt Brink.

Perhaps his best known work is Die Spook van Verlatenfontein ("The Ghost of Verlatenfontein"- 1927, pub 1933), considered the first Afrikaans stage thriller.

Other published plays include:

Die Aangenome Dogter (1929, pub 1931)

Lief en Leed van Lena (Toneelstuk in drie bedrywe - HAUM, 1930),

Die Stad Sodom (Toneelstuk in drie bedrywe - 1931)

Die Professor, en Ander Samesprake ("The professor and other dialogues") (HAUM, 1932)

Sarie Marais (a children's operetta, HAUM 1933 and 1950)

Die Verkeerde Meester, en Ander Samesprake ("The wrong master and other dialogues") (HAUM, 1933)

Twee Samesprake (a two dialogues for women: Die Kwaal and Wanneer die Blare Val (HAUM, 1941)


[TH]

Sources

https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/F.W._Boonzaier

Boonzaier, Fritz Wilhelm. WorldCat[1]

Binge, Ludwig Wilhelm Berthold 1969. Ontwikkeling van die Afrikaanse toneel (1832-1950). Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik.

Copy of a catalogue (handwritten by various hands) of the F.C.L. Bosman collection held at the Nasionale Afrikaanse Letterkunde Museum en Navorsingsentrum (NALN) in Bloemfontein.

Go to the ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities B

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page