Salomé Dans!
Salomé Dans! ("Salomé dances!") is an Afrikaans play in three acts by Gerhard J. Beukes (1913 - 1998).
Original text
Inspired by Oscar Wilde's Salomé, but not a translation or adaptation of his work, the play text won the Afrikaans section of the Krugersdorp Municipal Dramatic and Operatic Society's Diamond Jubilee competition (Diamantjubileum-toneelwedstryd) in 1949. Published in Pretoria J.L. van Schaik in 1950.
Beukes was awarded the Hertzog Prize for Drama in 1952 for Langs die steiltes, Salome Dans! and As ons twee eers getroud is!.
Performance history in South Africa
1951: First performed by the Department of Speech-Training and Drama of the University of Cape Town in the Little Theatre on from 7 June, and playing till the 9th. Directed by Leonie Pienaar, with Diana du Plessis as Salomé, Paul Malherbe as John the Baptist, Pietro Nolte Herod and Pieter Bredenkamp Marcellus. Choreography was by Mary Silberbauer, sets designed and built by Cecil Pym. Ballet sequences were performed by students of the Dulcie Howes ballet school. A lifesize model of Paul Malherbe's head was made by the Art Department of the University of Cape Town to be carried onto the stage on a tray. The author attended this first production.
1952: Produced by Volksteater in the Pretorius Hall, with Andries Brink as Herod, Adriaan Muller, Hannes Venter, Gwynne Ashton and Petra van der Walt and Leonie Ross alternating as "Salome". Decor designed and constructed by W.R. Phillip and Andries Beetge, costumes by H.D. Ross, J.E. McKillop and Cecilia Steyn, lighting by George Wiggell.
Sources
Die Burger, 5 May 1951.
Helikon, 1(6), 1952.
Gerhard J. Beukes (1913–1998) by Erika Terblanche, in LitNet 2014-08-21
http://www.stellenboschwriters.com/beukes.html
Copy of a catalogue (handwritten by various hands) of the F.C.L. Bosman collection held at the Nasionale Afrikaanse Letterkunde Museum en Navorsingsentrum (NALN) in Bloemfontein.
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