Die Man met 'n Lyk om sy Nek

Die Man met 'n Lyk om sy Nek ("the man with a corpse around his neck") is an Afrikaans "murder comedy" by Bartho Smit (1924–1986).

The original text

First performed in 1966 by PACT, directed by Ricky Arden at the Intimate Theatre, Johannesburg. The text published as Die man met 'n lyk om sy nek : 'n moord-komedie by Afrikaanse Pers Boekhandel, 1967.

Translations and adaptations

English translation by Antony Dawes: The Man With a Corpse Around His Neck. Translation published by DALRO, 1968.

Adapted and re-issued with some changes as a text for schools, under the new title of Die Man met die Alibi ("The man with the alibi") and published by Afrikaanse Pers Boekhandel, 1971.

Filmed as a TV Movie, broadcast 23 March 1986[1]

Performance history in South Africa

1966: The play opened in the Nasionale Skouburg ("National Theatre") in Pretoria 29 July, directed for PACT by Ricky Arden, after which it played at the Intimate Theatre, Johannesburg. PACT's subsequent rural tour with the play was cancelled however, because of objections to the play. (Smith, 1990, p46).

1969: Staged by PACOFS, directed by the playwright, with a cast that included Louw Verwey, Adéle van Blommenstein, Carmen Haddad and Ernst Eloff.

19**: Directed by Louw Odendaal at Die Masker Masker Maskerteater theatre to celebrate the University of Pretoria Drama Department's 25th birthday. The cast: Carel Trichardt, Petru Wessels, Fred Steyn, André Lombard. Decor by Peter Walter.

1975: Staged by Volksteater Pretoria, directed by Dot Denyssen-Botha, with Fanie van der Nest (Paul Barnard), Franciska Schutte (Annette), Kobus Trichardt (Frans), La Reine de Klerk ( (Cathy), Vink Roux (Bulhond), Johann van Wyk (Kaptein Buys) and Olof Vorster (Dok).