Dinkteater

Dinkteater was a Pretoria based and highly regarded experimental theatre group founded by Danie Burger (1946-2025) and Pieter Brand (195*-2018) in 1974.

Though mostly working in Afrikaans, the company was often referred to as Think Theatre in English reviews and so on.

Not to be confused with the Durban-based company Think Theatre Productions (2005-).

The company

Inspired by the recently opened Space Theatre in Cape Town, and based on the principles pioneered by Peter Brook and Jerzy Grotowski, the group sought to do avant garde theatre work in Afrikaans. The cast was a mix of former drama students and amateurs, all performing without remuneration, but seeking to conform to professional standards in rehearsal and performance.

Among their productions were a number of Afrikaans versions of Elizabethan and Jacobean plays. Among them: The Duchess of Malfi by Webster, Die Koning Sterf (Exit the King by Ionesco), as well as more contemporary works by various writers, like Die Diensmeisies (The Maids by Genet).

A number of original new Afrikaans plays were also staged, including Bloedlyn (1974) and Wie is Leopold? (197*), both by Temple Hauptfleisch, Die Duiwel, sy handlanger en die drie ligtekooie by Marlene van Niekerk (all three the foregoing directed by Burger), Die Ballade van Rama en Mara by Benoni de Haeck (197*) and **** by Johan Visser (197*), the latter two directed by Brand.

In 1979 they produced the cabaret Papawerwyn by Hennie Aucamp.

The venues

The company initially utilized a converted warehouse loft in Potgieter street for many years, calling it Dinkteater/Think Theatre.

In the early 1980s it briefly became a theatre club, utilizing various established venues in Pretoria, but then closed as both partners went on to other careers.