Amateur Dramatic Society, Jansenville

Amateur Dramatic Society, Jansenville consisted of a group of amateur actors who lived in the rural town of Jansenville, Eastern Cape, who, according to Sid Fourie, "brought much pleasure to members and public alike".

Founding, function and history

The group was founded on May 14, 1959, with Frans Nell (chairman), Rita Greeff (secretary), and Andre Slabbert (Glaum) (treasurer) and they had given over 200 performances in centres as far apart as Aliwal North, Hartenbos and Bloemfontein. In 1961 Pauline van Zyl was made secretary and together with Jannie van Zyl, Ice Lotter and Rykie Lotter (professional), they had been acting together for 20 years. Other members included Susie Crouse, Bertie de Beer, schoolgirls Arina van Zyl (now Arina de Witt) and Annabie de Beer who did much singing while Hannes van Eck provided music with his concertina. Performances were given until 1972 when, with the arrival of TV, a decision was taken to disband the group. During its existence it travelled widely around the Eastern Cape and gave performances mainly at smaller villages. Some members of the club were D J De Villiers, Mr and Mrs E H Egan, Mrs Orsmond, Mr and Mrs Etto van Bonde and Maud Jones.

Productions

Ou Bokke and Groen Blare

1970: Heimwee (Memories) by Ice Lotter and Rykie Lotter

As Nefie Kom Kuier, a production of ATKV.

1972: Kongres, lead role played by Pauline van Zyl (Doctor).

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

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