Ou Daniël

Ou Daniël ("Old Daniel") is an Afrikaans melodrama by Harm Oost (1877-1964).

The original text

A short play about the old, poverty stricken and ill Boer "Ou Daniël" and an artful conman named "Billy Black", written by Oost in 1905-6, in anticipation of the establishment of the Afrikaans-Hollandse Toneelvereniging in 1906. first performed as part of its first production by in the Opera House, Pretoria 9 March, 1906 according to Binge (though Bosman goives the date as 1907, and Du Toit has it as 7 March 1907). It soon became a firm favourite in that society’s repertory, and remained so until 1910. It was described by Gustav Preller as an important work, heralding the budding of Afrikaner cultural self-consciousness.

First published as Ou' Daniel: Oorspronkelik Afrikaans toneelspelletje ("Ol' Daniel: original Afrikaans playlet") by the Volkstem-Drukkerij, Pretoria, in 1907.

Performance history in South Africa

1906: Performed by the Afrikaans-Hollandse Toneelvereniging in the Opera House, Pretoria 9 March, with Stephanus Maré in the leading role.

1907: Perhaps performed (again?) by the Afrikaans-Hollandse Toneelvereniging in the Opera House, Pretoria on 7 March.

Sources

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

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: p. 485

P.J. du Toit. 1988. Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika. Pretoria: Academica

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