Toiings

Toiings ("Rags") is an Afrikaans novel by Mikro (1903–1968), adapted for the stage by André P. Brink (1935-2015).

The original text

Brink's play is based on a trilogy of Afrikaans novels by Mikro (1903–1968) [1], about the "Cape Coloureds" [2]: The trilogy consists of: Toiings (1934), Pelgrims ("pilgrims", 1935) and Vreemdelinge ("strangers", 1944).

The text was published as Toiings op die Langpad by J.L. van Schaik in 1979.

Translations and adaptations

The adaptation was done for the PACT Afrikaans drama company, the story reset in the present of 1973, apparently with some of the more patronising elements of the 1934 novel having been excised.

Performance history in South Africa

1973: Staged by PACT, directed by Francois Swart, with Jan Engelen (Ou-Toiings), George Ballot (Jong-Toiings), Annette Engelbrecht (Siena), Annelisa Weiland (Griet), Ellie Osmers (Jannetjie), Dawid van der Merwe (Oompie Dissel), Marie Koeleman (Tant Bet), Nigel Vermaas (Oompie Sampie), Magda Beukes (Drieka Wee), Tobias Cronje (Verus), Will Bernard (Windvoël & Riempies), Marko van der Colff (Oskar & Helmet) and André Laubscher (Klaas Tieties). Decor by Richard Cook and costumes by Christa Scholtz.

Sources

PACT theatre programme, 1973.

Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.

George Ballot scrapbooks. (Provisionally held in the ESAT Archive, with the kind permission of Prof Muller Ballot[3] and consulted 2024).

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