Jansenville Drama Vereniging

The Jansenville Drama Vereniging was an theatrical society in Jansenville in the Karoo.

It is sometimes incorrectly called the Jansenville Dramatiese Vereniging or Jansenville Dramavereniging in Afrikaans.

Known in English as the Amateur Dramatic Society, Jansenville, the Jansenville Amateur Dramatic Society or the Jansenville Dramatic Society.

Founding, function and history

The group, consisting of a group of amateur and professional actors who lived in or around the rural town of Jansenville, Eastern Cape, was founded on May 14, 1959, with Dr Frans Nell (chairman), Rita Greeff (secretary), Adele Ossher, Ice Lötter and Ms Andre Slabbert (later Andre Glaum) (treasurer).

In 1961 Pauline van Zyl was elected as secretary and together with Jannie van Zyl, Ice Lötter and Rykie Lötter (professional), acted together over a period of 30 years. Other members included Chris Ackerman, Susie Crouse, Bertie de Beer, with schoolgirls Arina van Zyl (now Arina de Witt) and Annabie de Beer who did much singing. Hannes van Eck provided music with his concertina.

In 1972, Kongres was the Jansenville Drama Vereniging's first production to come in at first place during the Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging (Also widely known by its acronym: ATKV) Competition.

Many of their productions were staged in the Jansenville Town Hall but during its existence the Jansenville Drama Vereniging also travelled widely around the Eastern Cape and performed mainly at smaller villages. They were fortunate enough to have their transport costs subsidized by the Dept. of Cultural Affairs. They staged over 200 performances in centres as far apart as Aliwal North, Hartenbos and Bloemfontein. Some members of the club were D J De Villiers, Mr E.H. Egan, Mrs Egan, Mrs Orsmond, Mr Etto van Bonde, Mrs van Bonde and Maud Jones.

Performances were given until 1973 when, with the imminent arrival of TV, a decision was taken to disband the group.

Contribution to South African Theatre

1959: Die Ligblou Vaas (The Light-blue Vase) written by Gerhard J. Beukes. It was produced by H Booysen, and starred Andre Slabbert and Frans Nel.

1959: Mamma Het Planne (Mom Has Plans). Produced by Rita Greef and starring Johannes Slabbert, Magrieta Slabbert, Gielie Grobler, Valerie Nel and David Birch.

1959: Kerse Teen die Wind (Candles Against the Wind) by Gerhard J. Beukes. Produced by Rykie Lötter and starring Helen Booysen, Jannie van Zyl, Ice Lötter and Johannes Slabbert.

1960: Die Hele Dorp Skinner (The Whole Village Gossips). Produced by Rita Greef and starring Rykie Lötter, Ice Lötter, Johan Bekker, Truida Bekker, Gielie Grobler, Abel Pienaar, Beryl la Grange, Bettie Nel, Danie Knoetze and Rita Greef.

1961: Verskeidenheidskonsrt (Variety Concert). Produced by Adele Ossher.

1962: Verskeidenheidskonsrt (Variety Concert). Produced by Adele Ossher.

1963: Dienie Speel Toneel (Dienie is Play Acting) is a one-act play by Hélène Pienaar-De Klerk. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Pauline van Zyl, Joey Steenkamp, Chris Steenkamp and Francois Slabbert.

1963: Sorry, Wrong Number. Produced by Adele Ossher. Starring Ice Lötter, Adele Ossher and Bertie de Beer.

1968: Bly Kalm (Stay Calm). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Theo Skein, Joey de Beer, Pauline van Zyl, Rykie Lötter, Terry Terblanche and A Nieuwoudt.

1968: Oupa Saliger (Grandfather Saliger). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Loamie Terblanche, Bertie de Beer, Renier Grobler, Pauline van Zyl, Arina van Zyl, Sandra Muller and Ice Lötter.

1971: Heimwee (Memories) Produced by Ice Lötter and Rykie Lötter. 1st, 2nd and 3rd act by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Maans Kemp, Annette ?, Chris Ackerman, Wessel Cornelius, Janet Cornelius, Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Pauline van Zyl, Jannie van Zyl, Arina van Zyl, Annabie de Beer, Hannes van Eyk, Susie Crouse, Sarie Slabbert, Nic Botha, Dirk Smit, Joyce Smit, Christo van Wyk, Henna Jooste and Gerrit van Wyk.

1971: As Nefie Kom Kuier (When Cousin Comes Visiting), is an Afrikaans one-act farce by Gerhard J. Beukes (1913 - 1998) and was produced for the ATKV competition by Chris Ackerman. Starring Arina van Zyl, Dawie de Beer, Annabie de Beer and Elno Jansen.

1972: Die Kongres (“The Congress”). A one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl and entered in the annual Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging competition in Bloemfontein where it won the top award. Performers included Pauline van Zyl, Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Roelof van der Merwe, Chris Ackerman, Nic Botha, Gerrit van Wyk, Dirk Smit and Eunice van der Merwe.

1972: Broers (Brothers), Produced by Chris Ackerman. Starring Chris Ackerman, Jannie van Zyl, Wessel Cornelius, Gerrit van Wyk, and Rykie Lötter.

1972: Die Reën Van Jou Liefde (The Rain of Your Love) is a one-act play in Afrikaans by W.A. de Klerk. Produced by Ice Lötter and Rykie Lötter. Starring Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Wessel Cornelius and Pauline van Zyl.

1972: Begrafenis (Funeral), Produced by Gerrit van Wyk. Starring Anna Ackerman, Helena Slabbert, Lana Fourie, Jannie van Zyl and Janet Cornelius.

1973: Ou Bokke and Groen Blare (Old Goats and Green Leaves), written by Dr Louis de Villiers and produced by Pauline van Zyl, won the ATKV annual acting competition. Starring Chris Ackerman, Rykie Lötter, Roelf van der Merwe, Lucy Smit, Jannie van Zyl, Ice Lötter, Pauline van Zyl and Eunice van der Merwe, was presented in the Jansenville Town Hall.

1973: Storm. Produced by Philip Crouse. Starring Susie Crouse, Arina van Zyl, Ian van Zyl, Naomi Mattheus and Philip Crouse.

1973: Rooibruin Blare (Reddish-brown Leaves). Produced by Ice Lötter and Rykie Lötter. Starring Gielie Grobler, Matty Grobler, Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Anna Ackerman, Wessel Cornelius and Janet Cornelius.

1973: Stilte Asseblief (Quiet Please!); Produced by Pauline van Zyl, Starring Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Bertie de Beer and Pauline van Zyl.

1974: Toewyding (Dedication). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Jannie van Zyl, Pauline van Zyl and Chris Ackerman.

1974: Dis Nou te Laat (It's Now Too Late), a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Jannie van Zyl, Pauline van Zyl and Ina van der Westhuizen, Willie de Beer and Gerrit van Wyk.

1975: Mans Verkies Blondines (Men Prefer Blondes). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Jannie van Zyl, Pauline van Zyl, Arina van Zyl, Edward Lemmer, Chris Ackerman and Gerrit van Wyk.

1975: Die Kongres (Congress). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. With Ice Lötter replacing Roelof van der Merwe.

1975: Middernag (Midnight). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Rykie Lötter, Arina van Zyl, Pauline van Zyl and Lucy Smit.

1976: Van Bye en Blomme (From Bees and Flowers). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Lana Fourie, Susie Crouse, Rykie Lötter, Pauline van Zyl, Ina van der Westhuizen and Hettie Erasmus.

1976: Die Rooi Duiwel se As (The Red Devil's Ashes) by D G Richard, A one-act play based on a short story of the same name. A group gathers to hear the last will and testament of a family member with all sorts of unnatural happenings taking place. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Ice Lötter and Rykie Lötter.

1977: Die Erfenis (The Inheritance). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Jannie van Zyl, Pauline van Zyl, Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter and Hillmar Heydenrych.

1977: Adv Marcus Antonius Spring Riem (For school). Produced by Pauline van Zyl.

1977: Die Trane Rol Oor Jou, Bokkie. a light one-act comedy written by Mariechen Naudé. (For school). Produced by Pauline van Zyl.

1978: Babbelkous en Bruidegom (Chatterbox And Bridegroom). La Perruche et le Poulet ("The Parrot And The Chicken") is a play by French dramatist Robert Thomas. It premiered at the Théâtre du Vaudeville in Paris on 12 August 1966, and was translated into Afrikaans by Tine Balder who renamed it Babbelkous en Bruidegom. It was adapted for an Afrikaans audience by Anna Neethling-Pohl. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Renier Grobler, Ria Grobler, Jannie van Zyl, Pauline van Zyl, Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Wessel Cornelius, Janet Cornelius and Ina van der Westhuizen.

1979: Die Lug is Betrokke (The Sky is Overcast). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Arina van Zyl, Jannie van Zyl, Pauline van Zyl, Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Johan Heydenrych and Gerrit van Wyk.

1980: Op Rekening (On Account) a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Ice Lötter, Linette Botha, Annatjie van der Merwe, Orpa Knoetze, Pauline van Zyl, Betie van Wyk, Sonja Francis, Marie Nel, Chrissie Nel, Patricia van der Merwe, Heila Erasmus, Hester Heydenrych, Marie Bakkes. In front: Miriam van Dalen, Sank van Rensburg and Veronica van der Merwe.

1980: Ou Bokke and Groen Blare (Old Goats and Green Leaves), written by Dr Louis de Villiers and produced by Pauline van Zyl, Starring Rykie Lötter, Ice Lötter, Jannie van Zyl, Pauline van Zyl, Koos Botha, Radie Ferreira, Jannie van Zyl, Anne Nash and Lucy Smit.

1981: Die Hekse (The Witches) is a one-act play by Margaret Wood. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Anne Nash, Pauline van Zyl, Rykie Lötter, Emmie Ferreira and Annatjie van der Merwe.

1981: Die Arrestasie (The Arrest). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Susie Crouse, Hettie Malherbe, Alida Heydenrych, Wendy Presley, Pauline van Zyl, Otto Sparius, Heila Erasmus, Mary Kitching and Sias Bester.

1982: Die Toets (The Test) is a one act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Magda Herselman Andre Louw, Andrew Nel, Johan Heydendrych, Wendy Presley, Otto Sparius, Susie Crouse and Pauline van Zyl.

1982: Die Lug is Betrokke (The Sky is Overcast) by English playwright Anthony Booth. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Johan Heydenrych, Jannie van Zyl, Pauline van Zyl, Magda Herselman and Andrew Nel.

1982: Dis Nou te Laat (It's Now Too Late), a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Francie Taljaard, Deon Taljaard Pauline van Zyl and Jannie van Zyl.

1982: Geseënde Dag. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Susie Crouse, Joe Wepener, Maria Vermaak, Sue de Swardt, Emmie Ferreira and Tok Bekker.

1982: Die Oorgetuie (The Ear-witness) is a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Anne Nash and Teresa Odendaal.

1983: Rondings Op Die Regte Plekke (Cambers at the Right Places). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Teresa Odendaal, Magde Herselmann, Blippie Uys, Naomi Mattheus, Ina van der Westhuizen and Janet Cornelius.

1984: Agt Vroue (Eight Women). Translated version from the French Huit Femmes. It is a 1958 dark comedy drama by the French dramatist Robert Thomas. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Susie Crouse, Antoinette Botha, Francie Taljaard, Teresa Odendaal, Hannatjie Relling , Irma Carol, and Elize Fourie.

1985: Geseënde Dag. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Susie Crouse, Joe Wepener, Maria Vermaak, Sue de Swardt, Emmie Ferreira and Tok Bekker.

1986: Wit Leuens en Swart Dade (White Lies and Black Deeds), a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Albert du Toit, Pauline van Zyl, Willem du Plessis, Teresa Odendaal, Antoinette Botha and Sarel Fourie.

1986: Die Oorgetuie (The Ear-witness) is a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl for the Jansenville High School.

1986: Die Oorgetuie (The Ear-witness) is a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Antoinette Botha and Teresa Odendaal.

1986: Variety Show.

1987: Bietjie Stout en Baie Pret (Bit Naughty and Very Proud). Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Albert du Toit, Pauline van Zyl, Teresa Odendaal, Sarel Fourie, Francie Taljaarrd, Carol Lee and Theo Landman.

1988: Variety Show.

1991: Van Bye en Blomme (Of Bees and Flowers) is a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Charmaine Gerber and Antoinette Botha.

1991: Van Bye en Blomme (Of Bees and Flowers) is a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Charmaine Gerber, Jeanetta Nel and Antoinette Botha.

1992: Agt Vroue (Eight Women). Translated version from the French Huit Femmes. It is a 1958 dark comedy drama by the French dramatist Robert Thomas. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Antoinette Botha, Annemarie dos Santos, Charmaine Davis, Jeanetta Nel, Johanna Greyling, Marina Oosthuizen and Karin van der Merwe.

1993: Tussen Vyf en Half-Ses is an Afrikaans translation by Chris Fourie of Philip Johnson's mixed-language one-act play, From Five to Five-Thirty, and was produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Antoinette Botha, Hannelie Currie, Rykie Lötter and Naomi Mattheus.

1993: Dis Nou te Laat (It's Now Too Late), a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl Antoinette Botha, Hannelie Currie, Rykie Lötter Charmaine Gerber, Danie Gerber and Naomi Mattheus.

1995: Dis Nou te Laat (It's Now Too Late), a one-act play by Louis de Villiers. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring ??

1996: Tussen Vyf en Half-Ses was produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Pauline van Zyl, Antoinette Botha, Hannelie Currie, Kathleen Hardt, and Gail Keevy.

Awards

1972, Kongres won first place in the Cape provincial round of the annual ATKV Competition.

1973: Ou Bokke and Groen Blare won the top award at the ATKV National competition in Bloemfontein.

Sources

"Jansenville, Yesterday and Today," Chronicles and Anecdotes of a Noorsveld Town, 1855-1955 by Sid Fourie. Published by The Jansenville Chronicle, Jansenville, Cape Province, 1956.

Interview with Pauline van Zyl

"Turning Back the Pages - The Story of a Noorsveld Town and District", Jansenville by Sid Fourie. Esco Publishers, Jansenville.

"Jansenville Buit die Nationale Trofee Vir Opvoering", Die Oosterlig, Monday, October 22, 1973.

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