Die Vrystaatse Toneelskool

Die Vrystaatse Toneelskool ("The Free State Theatre School") was a training institution set up in Bloemfontein by Hendrik Hanekom (1893-1952) and Mathilde Hanekom (1896-1976).

It was known by many names, depending on the particular source, including Die Toneelskool ("The theatre school"), the Bloemfontein Toneelskool (the "Bloemfontein theatre school") or variously as the Toneelskool van die Hanekoms Die Toneelskool van die Hanekoms and Die Hanekoms se Toneelskool (all three all basically meaning the "Theatre school of the Hanekoms").

It was opened in September 1932, when Mathilde’s health became a concern and their daughter needed to go to school, and lasted a little more than 3 years. Basically it was a theatrical society which they used to put on 15 plays between 1932 and 1934, utilizing a number of local amateurs, many of whom went on to become important figures in amateur and professional theatre. Among the more prominent alumni were Kitty Maasdorp, Fred van Rooyen and J.J. van Rensburg.

The full repertoire encompassed the following plays:

The first production by the school

The greatest success of the school was also to become one of the great success stories of the Afrikaans theatre: Hanekom's portrayal of President Paul Kruger in D.C. Postma's historical and symbolic drama Oom Paul ("Uncle Paul") was a huge hit. Hanekom later toured with a professional company, playing Oom Paul to a wider audience, for a number of years.

They also did pieces by local author D.F. Malherbe (notably Amrach die Tollenaar and the dramatised verion of Hans die Skipper).

Sources

Ludwig Binge, 1969;

Anna Minnaar-Vos 1969. Die Spel Gaan Voort: Die Verhaal van Hendrik en Mathilde Hanekom. Kaapstad: Tafelberg, pp. 96-110.

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