Ampie

Ampie is a dramatization of his own novel by Jochem van Bruggen (1881–1957)

The original novel

Ampie: die natuurkind ("Ampie: nature's child", usually referred to simply as Ampie) was first published in 1924 in Amsterdam by Swets & Zeitlinger. It received the prestigious Hertzog Prize for Prose in 1925.

It was followed by a sequel, Ampie: die meisiekind, in 1928, also crownded with Hertzog Prize (1927)

The original playtext

In 1930 Van Bruggen adapted his two novels for the stage as Ampie, with the help of director Stephanie Fauré. Published as Ampie: toneelspel in drie bedrywe by Van Schaik Publishers in 1930.

Translations and adaptations

Ampie Oppie Diekens:

Ampie Oppie Diekens ("Ampie on the diggings"), is a stage play, devised as a sequel to Van Bruggen's original play Ampie, adapted by Francois Swart from the writings of Jochem van Bruggen.

Presented by PACT in the Alexander Theatre and the Breytenbach Theatre in 1972. Direction was by Francois Swart, decor by Richard Cook, costumes by Pat Slavin. The cast were Marius Weyers, Sandra Prinsloo, Katinka Heyns, David van der Merwe, Louis van Niekerk, Don Lamprecht, Tine Balder, Wilna Snyman, George Ballot, Wilma Stockenström, Dalene Kotzé and André Laubscher.

Sources

PACT Newsletter, June 1972.

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Performance history in South Africa

1930: First produced as Ampie by André Huguenet and directed by Stephanie Faure in 1930, with Huguenet as the poor white young man "Ampie" and Lydia Lindeque. It opened for a two-day run in the Pretoria Opera House on 18 April 1930 and then toured. It was immediately hailed as a milestone in Afrikaans culture, though not all liked the details of the production. Huguenet used the same play a number of times to save his career (e.g 1932, 1941). Van Bruggen also did a production with his family and toured it (193*?),

1970: Performed as Ampie by TRUK Toneel (PACT Drama) in 1970, directed by François Swart. Other cast members were Laurie van der Merwe, Tine Balder (Grieta Booysen), Sandra Prinsloo (Annekie), Schalk Jacobsz, Annette Engelbrecht (Tant Annie/Hester Stander), Katinka Heyns, David van der Merwe, Don Lamprecht (Flip Stander), Louis van Niekerk (Dawid Nortjé), Max Curtis, Jacqueline Cook. Decor designed by Schalk Jacobsz. e.

1971: Presented by KRUIK (CAPAB), directed by Truida Louw, 1971, starring Mees Xteen as Ampie, Pieter Bredenkamp/Price Coetzee, Margot Luyt, Trudi du Plessis, Etienne Pienaar/Roelf Laubscher, Pieter Geldenhuys, Anna Cloete, Marie Pentz, Chris Swanepoel, David Haynes/Willem de la Querra, Paul Slabolepszy/Martin Crous and a live donkey. Design by Chris van den Berg, stage management by Mavis Lilenstein.

1981: Another version formed part of the opening season of the Pretoria State Theatre in 1981.

1982: Another version by Schalk W. Jacobsz, directed by him for PACOFS in 1982, starring Pieter Brand, Japie van Wyk, Louis Minnaar, Sulette Minnaar, Anna Richter-Visser, Schalk Theron, George Barnes, Marie Beukes, Anna Cloete and others. A recording of one of the performances was broadcast on SABC Television.

Sources

PACOFS Drama 25 Years, 1963-1988.

Ampie theatre programmes, 1970, 1971.

Siener in die Suburbs theatre programme containing a list of actors and their roles for TRUK 1965-1971.

Photographs held by NELM (PACOFS 1982 production): [Collection: Performing Arts Council Orange Free State (PACOFS)]: 2009. 67. 1. 2. 1.

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