View source for Siener in die Suburbs

''[[Siener in die Suburbs]]'' ("Clairvoyant in the Suburbs") is a hugely successful stage play by [[P.G. du Plessis]] (1934-2017).  

Also the title of the filmed version of the play by [[Quadro Films]].

= The stage play by [[P.G. du Plessis]](1971) =


== Original text ==

An enormously popular, much celebrated and multiple award-winning play depicting the lives of the “poor white” Afrikaans-speaking inhabitants of the working class southern suburbs of Johannesburg in the 1950s. It was first published by [[Tafelberg]], 1971. 

Besides numerous acting and directing awards, the text won the [[Hertzogprys|Hertzog Prize for Drama]] (with consideration of ''[[Die Nag van Legio]]''), the [[CNA Prize for Afrikaans Fiction]] and the [[Grosskopf Prize]] for the author.  

== Translations and adaptations ==

An English version entitled '''''[[Seer in the Suburbs]]''''' (alternatively titled ''[[Backyard Dreamer]]''), adapted by [[Peter Krummeck]].

== Performances ==
 
1971: First performed in a record-breaking run by [[PACT]] at the [[Breytenbach Theatre]] from 12 August 1971, directed by [[Francois Swart]], featuring [[Marius Weyers]] (“Jakes”), [[Sandra Prinsloo]] (“Tiemie”), [[Louis van Niekerk]] ("Giel"), [[George Ballot]] ("Albertus"), [[Don Lamprecht]] ("Tjokkie"), [[Annette Engelbrecht]] ("Fé") and [[Tine Balder]] (as "Ma, [[Wilna Snyman]] taking over the role later). Repeated again by [[PACT]], with productions at various places in the country over the years. [[Gerben Kamper]] took over as Albertus and [[Karen van Wyk]] as Fé in later productions. Decor by [[Richard Cook]].

1978: Produced by [[CAPAB]], directed by [[Schalk Jacobsz]] with [[Paul Slabolepszy]] (Jakes), [[Johan Botha]] (Tjokkie), [[Lida Meiring]] (Ma), [[Willem de la Querra]] (Giel), [[Johan Esterhuizen]] (Albertus), [[Fay Marais]] (Fé) and [[Mary Dreyer]] (Tiemie) in the [[Nico Malan Theatre]] (opening 9 September), [[Opera House]], Port Elizabeth from 3 October and the [[H.B. Thom Theatre]] in Stellenbosch, opening 10 October. [[Marko van der Colff]] played Jakes in Port Elizabeth and Stellenbosch. Designed by [[Peter Krummeck]], lighting by [[John T. Baker]].

1980: Produced by [[PACOFS]] , directed by [[Schalk Jacobsz]] Decor and costumes by [[Cyril Londt]], lighting by [[Brian Evans]]. Stage manager [[William Czerepowicz]]. 

1981: Produced by [[PACT]] with [[Ben Kruger]] (Jakes) and [[Amanda Strydom]] (Tiemie).

1981: Performed in English as ''[[Seer in the Suburbs]]'' at the [[Baxter Theatre]] , opening 19 August, directed by [[Charles Comyn]]. The cast included [[Trix Pienaar]] (Ma), [[Peter Piccolo]] (Chockie), [[Peter Krummeck]] (Sam), [[Robin Smith]] (Jakes), [[Brümilda van Rensburg]] (Baby), [[Maria Schoeman]] (Fay). Lighting by [[Pip Marshall]].

1981: Performed in English as ''[[Seer in the Suburbs]]'' at the the [[Academy Theatre]] Johannesburg, starring [[Dale Cutts]], [[Trudie Taljaard]], [[Bo Petersen]] and [[Marcel van Heerden]].


1993: Staged by the [[University of Pretoria Drama Department]], directed by [[Louw Odendaal]], with [[Henning Botha]] (Giel), [[Alida Liebenberg]] (Ma), [[Peter Taljaard]] (Jakes), [[Hanlie Rolfes]] (Tiemie), [[John Kennedy]] (Tjokkie), [[Stéfan Booyscé-d’Ville]] (Albertus) and [[Onida Cowan]]/[[Sonja-Marie de la Rey]] (Fé).

2002: Directed by [[Chris Vorster]] at the [[KKNK]], with [[Gys de Villiers]] as "Jakes" and [[Sandra Prinsloo]] as "Ma", [[Brian Webber]],  [[Anriette van Rooyen]], [[Franci Swanepoel]],  and [[Jacobus Venter]].

2015: Performed at [[Aardklop]] starring [[Crystal-Donna Roberts]] [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3997616/] (Tiemie), [[Shaleen Surtie-Richards]] (Ma), [[Christo Davids]] (Tjokkie), [[Brendon Daniels]] (Jakes), [[Ivan Abrahams]] (Oom Giel).

== Translations and adaptations ==

An English version entitled ''[[Seer in the Suburbs]]'' (alternatively titled ''[[Backyard Dreamer]]''), adapted by [[Peter Krummeck]]. 

1981: Performed in English at the [[Baxter Theatre]] , opening 19 August, directed by [[Charles Comyn]]. The cast included [[Trix Pienaar]] (Ma), [[Peter Piccolo]] (Chockie), [[Peter Krummeck]] (Sam), [[Robin Smith]] (Jakes), [[Brümilda van Rensburg]] (Baby), [[Maria Schoeman]] (Fay). Lighting by [[Pip Marshall]].

1981: English text was also performed at the the [[Academy Theatre]] Johannesburg, starring [[Dale Cutts]], [[Trudie Taljaard]], [[Bo Petersen]] and [[Marcel van Heerden]].

=The film by [[Quadro Films]](1973) =

A script by [[P.G. du Plessis]] (based on his play) was filmed by [[Quadro Films]], directed by [[Francois Swart]], with cinematography by [[Koos Roets]] and editing by [[Tokkie Wehmeyer]]. 

The film was basically a filmed version of the original stage production, with the same cast and director. The cast consisted of [[Marius Weyers]], [[Louis van Niekerk]], [[Sandra Prinsloo]], [[Don Lamprecht]], [[Wilna Snyman]], [[George Ballot]], [[Karen van Wyk]] and [[Don Barrigo]] (uncredited). 

Production credits for the film include  [[Colin Ward]]  (production manager), [[Eric Smith]] (as Erick Smith - music), ,  [[Richard Cook]] (set design),  and [[Richard Lomba]] (sound).

Released in 1973.

= Sources =

[[ESAT Bibliography Bar-Bas|Barrow and Williams-Short]]. 1988. 

[[PACT]] Newsletter, October 1971.

Material (re Krummeck translation) held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: Baxter Archives]: 2003. 54. 46.

''Siener in die Suburbs'' theatre programmes [[PACT]] 1972, [[PACOFS]] 1980.

''[[Die Burger]]'', 3 March 2012) (re [[PACT]] 1981 production).

''Seer in the Suburbs'' theatre programme (Baxter), 1981.

[[University of Pretoria Drama Department]] theatre programme, 1993.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2030382/

''[[Beeld]]'', 8 October 2015.

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