Die Laaste van die Takhare

Die Laaste van die Takhare ("The Last of the Backvelders") is an Afrikaans play by C.J. Langenhoven (1873-1932).

The original text

A full-length comedy about language differences and legal squabbles about water rights, the play is an adaptation of Die Wêreld die Draai ("The World Turns") by C.J. Langenhoven (1912), which in its turn had been based on his first play De Waterzaak ("The Case about the Water") (1909). Published by Nasionale Pers, 1926.

Performance history in South Africa

1953: Directed by Herman Steytler for K.A.T. in October in the Labia Theatre, with Eric van Dyk (Kato), Matthys du Toit (Karel Venter), Dick Pieksma (Van Helderbosch), Rieta Slabbert (Miemie), Vivian Styger (Henry Hamilton), Johann Cilliers (Piet Gyselaar), Pieter Bredenkamp (Johannes Ackerman), Rina Viljoen (Tant Maria), Edith Rossouw (Treinie) and Eduard Hough (Stevens).

195*: Performed by JAATS with Pieter Hauptfleisch, Schalk Theron,

1966: Produced by CAPAB at the Hofmeyr Theatre 9-18 May, starring Christiaan Vegter, Pieter Hauptfleisch, Michael Newell, Antoinette Terblanche, Wilhelm de la Querra and Annie Basson. This production went on tour in the Cape Province with the co-operation of Johan Fourie, playing inter alia in Bellville, Worcester, Stellenbosch, Parow, Oudtshoorn, George, Port Elizabeth, Graaf Reinet, Middelburg, Craddock, Queenstown, Burgersdorp, Aliwal North, Vryburg, Kuruman, Postmasburg , Kimberley, Wellington, Picketburg, Mooresesburg, Paarl, Riebeek Kasteel, Caledon, Bredasdorp, Napier, Bonnievale, Swellendam, Montague, Robertson, Ceres, Portersville, Malmesbury, Veltdrift, Darling, Grabouw, Tulbach, Somerset West, Strand, Epping, Maitland, Kraaifontein, Ysterplaat, and Thornton.

1968: Produced by PACT’s Afrikaans company, directed by Jannie Gildenhuys with Louis van Niekerk (Karel Venter), Louw Verwey (Kato & Neef Willem), Marius Weyers (Waarskuwing & Johannes Ackerman & Aalryt), James Norval (Meester & Neef Ockert & Burgemeester), Sandra Prinsloo (Miemie), Christopher Hale (Henry Hamilton), Ernst Eloff (Piet Rympies & Piet Neulpotjie & Piet Ryners)), Anna Cloete (Tant Maria), Hetty van Oordt (Treinie & Wynand) and Cobus Viljoen (Stevens). Decor and costumes by Chris van den Berg.

1969: Directed by Schalk Theron for PACOFS, opening in the Oppenheimer Theatre, Welkom. Décor by Schalk Theron, costumes by Kasimir Dubinski. The cast included Johan Botha, Annette Engelbrecht (Annetta?), George Barnes, Louw Verwey, Schalk Theron, Raymond Davies, Neels Coetzee, Frances Coertze, Carmen Haddad, Paul Eilers.

In 1979 a television version directed by Dirk de Villiers was transmitted. The cast included Rina Nienaber, Marie du Toit, Schalk Theron, Allan Dyssel, Jannie Gildenhuys and Terrick Fitzhugh.

In October 2013 a 198* radio version was re-broadcast on RSG, starring Francois Stemmet, Danie Joubert, Bettie Kemp, Don Lamprecht, Ernst Eloff en Richard van der Westhuizen. Directed by Evert Snyman.

Sources

K.A.T. theatre programme, 1953.

PACT theatre programme, 1968.

Teater SA, 1(4), 1969

Tucker, 1997.

Nel, 1972

Photograph of the cast (CAPAB 1966) held by NELM: [Collection: FLETCHER, Jill]: 2005. 75. 19. 50.

Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.

E-mail correspondence with Mike Newell - 13 February 2018.

Annotated performance text for the PACT production, found in the Stellenbosch Drama Department archives in 2022.

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