Draadwerk

Draadwerk by Daleen Kruger (19**-)

Draadwerk is an Afrikaans South African drama set at the Owl House (Uilhuis) in Nieu-Bethesda, centred on the relationship between the sculptor Helen Martins and her long-time assistant Koos Malgas, and on the interplay of light and darkness in their artistry.

The original text

Written by Daleen Kruger, Draadwerk won the 2009 Nagtegaal Teksprys, the largest Afrikaans playwriting competition of its day. First publication not traced.* Presented by Joho! Produksies.

Translations and adaptations

Adapted as a radio drama by Eben Cruywagen and broadcast on RSG on 17 October 2013, with Juanita Swanepoel as Helen.

Performance history in South Africa

(2009/2010)* An early performance is reported to have taken place on the porch of the Owl House in Nieu-Bethesda, home of Helen Martins.

2010: Staged at the US Woordfees, Stellenbosch, in the HB Thom Teater on 6 and 7 March, as part of the Sanlam Dramafees; the festival billed this as the premiere, following the earlier success at the festival of another Nagtegaal winner, Die Naaimasjien. Directed by André Stolz, with Aletta Bezuidenhout as Helen and Denver Vraagom as Koos. Also performed at the Absa KKNK, Oudtshoorn, in April 2010.