Ludwig Binge

There are two theatre related people with this name:

L.W.B. Binge

Ludwig Wilhelm Berthold Binge (1919-1966) was an academic, journalist, critic and theatre historian. Perhaps best known as an author under the formal name L.W.B. Binge, but also widely referred to as Ludwig Binge.

Biography

Born Ludwig Wilhelm Berthold Binge in the district of Potchefstroom on 20 February 1919, he finished his schooling at Jan Van Riebeeck High School in Cape Town. Complete a BA and MA (in Afrikaans and Dutch literature on the "Afrikaans Professional Theatre") at the University of Cape Town, to be followed by a doctoral study on the development of the Afrikaans theatre from 1832-1950 at the University of Cape Town under the initial supervision of F.C.L. Bosman, later completed at the University of Pretoria with Prof M.S.B. Kritzinger as promotor in 1960. His secondary subjects were the history of the Dutch theatre (1850-1950) and the development of directing in Europe. On completing the MA he initially joined the State Translation Bureau in Pretoria, while studying German Classical Drama at the University of Pretoria.

His son, Herman Binge, became leading figure in South African film and TV, while his grandson, Ludwig Binge became an actor.

Contribution to South African theatre, film, media and performance

While working as a translator, Binge becamed a part-time contributor on drama to both Die Burger and Die Transvaler and in 1945 he joined the staff of Die Burger as its drama critic. In 1949 he became the first South African Information Attaché at the Embassy in the Netherlands. On his return in 1955 he went to South West Africa (now Namibia) where he was elected to the "Wetgewende Vergadering" (parliament) as representative of Keetmanshoop.

In 19** he joined the management of National Theatre Organisation in Pretoria, whose service he left in 1961, to become a travelling organiser for the SA Art Society, before returning to journalism in the same year to become the arts editor of Die Transvaler and later briefly working for Die Vaderland.

Unfortunately his health had begun to deteriorateand he died of a heart attack on 15 May 1966 while working on preparations for that year's Republic Festival.

Besides his many articles and reviews of theatre and other arts (see ESAT Bibliography section), his major contribution to South African theatre studies has been his published doctoral study Die Ontwikkeling van die Afrikaanse Toneel (1832-1950), which was posthumously prepared for publication by F.C.L Bosman, and published by J.L. van Schaik in 1969 (reprinted in paperback, 1978). The book became a standard handbook in theatre studies in South Africa.

Sources

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Ludwig Binge

Ludwig Binge (19**-) Actor, screenwriter, and playwright.

Biography

He is the son of Herman Binge and Joanie Combrink, and the grandson of L.W.B. Binge. Born Johannesburg but his parents moved to Cape Town when he was nine months old. Raised in Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, and studied drama at the University of Stellenbosch, completing a B.Dram and an M.Dram., winning the annual Fleur du Cap Award for Most Promising Student in his final year (201*)

Contribution to South African theatre, film, media and performance

His theatrical roles include: Kind Hamlet (2012), Balbesit (2013), Cabaret (2015), Op Dees Aarde (2013), Tjop en Dop (2013), macbeth.slapeloos (2014), Samsa-masjien (2014), Cape of Rebels (2015), Die Moeder, Die Koninkryk van die Diere, Piekniek by Mpande, Quartet, Wie Drink Wat?.

Radio acting includes Die tuiskoms van Mina Afrika by Zuretha Roos (2018).

TV roles include episode one of Die Boland Moorde on KykNET, the kykNET soap Suidooster, Die Dinge van ’n Kind, Troukoors, Die Spreeus and Spoorloos.

Film work includes roles in Johnny is nie dood nie (for which he won the award as the best male supporting actor at the KykNET-Silwerskermfees) and in Kanarie, both directed by Christiaan Olwagen. He also appeared in Blindelings.

As playwright he is the author of Kleedkamer Blues (2018), in which he also performed, and a comic sketch called My mense is die kluts kwyt, directed by Wessel Pretorius with Ludwig as performer.

His screenplays include Boere-Krismis and Ouma Olive die Ongelooflike. At present he is a dialogue writer for the popular kykNET soap opera, Suidooster.

Sources

Artslink.co.za <news0115@artslink.co.za>

http://www.huisgenoot.com/fokus/jong-akteur-ontmoet-vir-ludwig-binge/

http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=37197

https://www.innibos.co.za/regisseur-philip-rademeyer-verklap-meer-oor-soebatsfontein/

Teksmark 2023 programme

Die Burger, 27 June 2018.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities B

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page