Die Twaalfuurwals

Die Twaalfuurwals (“The Twelve-O’Clock Waltz”) is an Afrikaans play by Chris Barnard (1939-2015).

(Originally the play was submitted with the provisional title Die Twaalfuurdans, and the subtitle Middernagwals.)

The original text

The piece, Barnard’s first new play in more than 25 years, was a commissioned work, first performed in 2006. The work tells of a burnt-out dramatist, Paul van Heerden, and his wife, the famous actress Nina who is playing the lead in his latest work. They come to re-evaluate their lives in a night of self-exposure and discovery caused by the cancellation of the evening's performance.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

2006: Performed at the at the Aardklop Kunstefees, directed by Katinka Heyns, with Marius Weyers, Anna-Mart van der Merwe, Hanli Rolfes, Marcel van Heerden and Rolanda Marais. The play received the Burgemeestersprys ("Mayor's Award") at the festival as most popular production.

2007: Performed at the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, Stellenbosch and the Innibosfees, where it was awarded the Die Kat se Snor-prys (the "De Kat's moustache prize"), once more as most popular production.