Libertas Teaterklub

An amateur theatre club founded in 1960 in the old wine cellar at Libertas/Vredelust, Stellenbosch by Betty Freund, Charles Johnman, Myril Ginsburg and others. The theatre in the converted wine cellar was called "The Cellar" or "Die Kelder" by members of the club. In 1967 they moved to the Klein Libertas Teater ("Little Libertas Theatre"), a converted stable on Bergzicht farm in Bird Street, made available by the Municipality.

TO BE EDITED

History

The idea for the club originated in 1959/60?** with what Ian Ferguson has called a " disastrous" amateur production of Dark is not Light Enough in the old Conservatoire of Music in Stellenbosch, directed by Charles Johnman [?*]. In spite of the failure Johnman and the cast asked Betty Freund to establish a proper theatre group in the old wine cellar at Libertas/Vredelust. She negotiated with the owners (Wakkie/Jean and Willa Krige) and supervised the conversion. Thus the Libertas Theatre Club was formally founded with Charles Johnman as first chairperson and Myril Ginsburg as secretary.

In 1967 the the club moved to a converted stable on Bergzicht farm in Bird Street, made available by the Municipality. It was named the Klein Libertas-teater ("Little Libertas Theatre").

Management

Between 1960 and 1976 the chairman was Charles Johnman, from 19**-19** it was **. In 198*-199* Piet Viljoen was chairman, and in 199* Jannie Hofmeyr took over.

In 1966 the committee members were: Charles Johnman (chairman), Marie Malherbe (vice-chairman), Myril Ginsburg (secretary), Jean McDonald (asst.-secretary), Piet van Straaten (treasurer), Marie van Heerden, Madeleine Heyns, Annette Muller, Mauritz van Aarde, A. Pienaar and W.A. Krige. (Eikestadnuus, 22 April 1966.)

In 1967 the committee members were: Charles Johnman (chairman), Marie Malherbe (vice-chairman), Myril Ginsburg (secretary), Jean McDonald (asst.-secretary), Peter Viljoen (treasurer), Marie van Heerden, Madeleine Heyns, Piet van Straaten, Gerhard Roux, and Fred Stephens. (Eikestadnuus, 31 March 1967.)

Until 1994 it was exclusively an amateur club, but as . The name changed to Klein Libertas Theatre to distinguish it from the Oude Libertas Theatre of Distell. As the political structures in the country changed and the arts councils fell away, artists started creating their own work and needed venues to perform. The Klein Libertas Theatre answered perfectly to this need and is therefore now not only used by amateurs and upcoming artists but more and more by professionals as well.

Although the theatre still keep it’s amateur wing alive, the emphasis nowadays fall heavy on community theatre projects of which the “Pretty Ladies”, a well-known group of farmworker women, was the first project. Recently the Klein Libertas Theatre also registered as a production house – of which two professional productions namely, “Want, kyk die bruidegom is hier” (a production about Hennie Aucamp’s work) and “Pas de Deux” of Hugo Claus, with Nicole Holm and Johann Nel, were extremely successful. Both Nicole and Johann were nominated for the Fleur du Cap-awards.

In 1998 the club was re-structured under the chairmanship of Amelda Brand (1998-1999) and later Gaerin Hauptfleisch (2000-2009), to provide for involvement from a range of professionals, students, amateurs and community theatre groups. A formal manager was also appointed for the theatre in 1998?*. The first appointee was Francois Toerien, followed in 2000 by Maryn **??, and later by her brother, Johan (GiGi) Fourie.

Ad Lib

Over the years the club published a newsletter (Ad Lib) in the years 19**-19**, under the editorship of ***?? This was revived in 1998 under the editorship of Gaerin Hauptfleisch.

Productions

Productions 1960-1967

During these first seven years the Libertas Teaterklub staged 23 productions and 13 play readings in the small theatre created in The Cellar on the farm Vredelust in Dorp Street, Stellenbosch, under the patronage of the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Willa Krige.

Libertas Teaterklub's first production, three one-act plays, was staged in the Denneoord Hall, Stellenbosch, in September 1960: Onderdrukte Begeertes, directed by Piet van Straaten, with Marie van Heerden, Fred Roux and Maxie Liebenberg; Die Vreemde Besoeker, directed by Gertie Smith-Visser, with Fred Stephens and Fred Roux; The Goldfish, directed by Jane Turner, with Mary Brooke, Jennifer Ellis, Jill Gould, Max Elstein, Johanna Friederici, Jean Krige, Klaus von Lieres, Bobby Ohlson and Cecile Elstein. The two one-act plays staged in Afrikaans were translated by Marie Malherbe. (Betty de Wet in Eikestadnuus, Sep. 1960)

The first production in the Vredelust cellar (called "Die Kelder" or "The Cellar" by club members) was A Lady Mislaid, a comedy in two acts by Kenneth Horne directed by Charles Johnman (1960). The next production was in Afrikaans, Moraal, directed by Jaco van der Merwe.

In March 1962 Betty Botha directed Agatha Christie's Go Back for Murder in The Cellar. Among the other memorable early productions in the first venue was Die Grootkanonne by Uys Krige in 1962.

In 1963 Libertas Teaterklub staged its first full-length children's production, Koning Lysterbaard, based on a tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm, directed by Esther van Ryswyk.

In April 1964 Libertas staged two one-act plays in The Cellar, both directed by Piet van Straaten: Hello Out There by William Saroyan, with Pieter de Swardt and Rita Sierts-Ehlers; Die Koffer by André P. Brink, with Marie van Heerden (die Vrou), Louis Eksteen (die Man), Annette Muller (die Dame), Dian Joubert (die Heer) and Casper Venter (die Klerk). This production was also staged, by invitation of the Bellville Amateur Theatre, in the Bellville Community Centre in May 1964.

In June 1964 the theatre club presented Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring in The Cellar, directed by Esther van Ryswyk, with Jane Turner (Abby), Marie van Heerden (Martha), John Kitson (Dr Harper), Rita Sierts-Ehlers (Elaine), Fred Roux (Mortimer), Pieter de Swardt (Jonathan), Mauritz van Aarde (Dr Einstein), Piet Retief, Louis Eksteen and Piet Viljoen.

In April 1965 Libertas presented Crime on Goat Island by Ugo Betti in The Cellar, directed by Piet van Straaten, with Eugene Olén, Mauritz van Aarde, Cynthia Bam, Ida Troskie and Fred Stephens.

In June 1965 Libertas staged Die Tas by André P. Brink, directed by Marie van Heerden, with Madeleine Heyns (Kelnerin), Andries Lategan (Man 1), Casper Venter (Man 2) and Willem de la Querra (Vreemdeling), as part of the ATKV Amateur Toneelkompetisie in the Civic Centre in Parow and in The Cellar.

In November 1965 Libertas produced Night Must Fall by Emlyn Williams in The Cellar, directed by Marie van Heerden, with Jane Turner (Mrs. Bramson), Thea Kirstein (Olivia), Annette Muller (Nurse Libby), Boela Holloway (Hubert ), Jill de Klerk (Mrs. Terence), Joan Nel (Dora), Peter Viljoen (Belsize) and Jimmy Aligianis (Dan). Music by Enrique Breytenbach (piano) and Van Zyl Hough (violin), lighting by Pieter de Swardt and decór by Johann van Heerden.

In May 1966 Libertas presented an evening of four one-act plays in The Cellar: Die Sterkere by August Strindberg, with Marie van Heerden (Miss Y) and Madeleine Heyns (Miss X); The Hungerers by William Saroyan, directed by Marie van Heerden, with John Burn Wood (The Writer), Johan Greeff (The Young Capitalist), Elodie Daneel (The Girl), Brenda von Memerty (The Old Woman) and Casper Venter (Death); Die Ander Ek by Alice Gerstenberg (translated by Marie Malherbe), directed by Piet van Straaten, with Joan Nel (Harriet), Annette Muller (Hettie), Suzette Kelly (Margaret), and Ella Steyn (Maggie); George by Van H. Cartmell, directed by Naida Brits, with Jean McDonald (Elizabeth), Rita Sierts-Ehlers (Sue), Mauritz van Aarde (Philip) and Herbert Pienaar (George). Die Sterkere represented Libertas Teaterklub at the 1966 ATKV Amateur Toneelkompetisie in the Civic Centre in Parow.

In April 1967 Libertas staged Gas Light by Patrick Hamilton, in The Cellar, directed by Piet van Straaten, with Marie van Heerden (Bella), Piet van Straaten (Jack), Louise Brower (Elizabeth), Cynthia Lambrechts (Nancy), Gerhard Roux (Rough), Peter Viljoen (Man 1) and Boela Holloway (Man 2). Set designed and built by Stephen Deathe, lighting designed by Pieter de Swardt and excuted by Peter Viljoen.

In June 1967 Libertas presented and evening of three one-act plays: Portret van 'n Madonna, Afrikaans translation by Marie van Heerden and Madeleine Heyns of Portrait of a Madonna (1946) by Tennessee Williams, directed by Marie van Heerden, with Madeleine Heyns (Lucretia), Fred Stephens (the doorman), Mees Xteen (the bellman), Annette Muller (the nurse), Piet van Straaten (the doctor) and Dries Smit (Mr Abrams); Bedtime Story by Sean O'Casey, directed by Jane Turner assisted by Naida Brits, with Peter Viljoen (John Jo), Jean McDonald (Angela), Herbert Pienaar (Daniel) and Brenda von Memerty (the lodging-house keeper); Kwartet by Gerhard J. Beukes, directed by Marie van Heerden, with Edward Hammond (Chris), Chris Goosen (Ren), Jannie Gagiano (Koert) and Paul van der Bijl ('n wag). Decór and lighting by Pieter de Swardt. Marie van Heerden, as director, won the award for Best Production of the year and Jannie Gagiano for Best Actor at the 1967 ATKV Amateur Toneelkompetisie hosted by B.A.T. at the Civic Centre in Bellville.

Libertas Teaterklub left The Cellar on 7th July 1967.

Productions 1967-1994

Over the years memorable productions in this venue included amongst others 'n Bruidsbed vir Tant Nonnie, directed by Marie van Heerden) (1970, a Hennie Aucamp prose evening with performers such as Herman Pretorius, Johann van Heerden and Annalise van der Rijst); Vlugsout (1974, included the first production of Wolf, Wolf hoe laat is dit? by Hennie Aucamp, directed by Marie van Heerden); [[Steadman’s Folly]] (1974, written by Stephen Curtis and won the Stephen Black Memorial prize); The Lesson (1975, starring Ben Dehaeck and Juanita Swanepoel); 'n Bruid in die Môre (by ***, 1977, directed by Marie van Heerden, starring Juanita Swanepoel); The Reluctant Debutante (1978, directed by Billy Trengrove. Won the Cape Times prize for best amateur production); Ekskuus vir die Wals (1984, cabaret by Etienne van Heerden, directed by Johann van Heerden, staring Antoinette Pienaar, André Schwartz and Jannie Hofmeyr); 3-D (1984, cabaret by Anthony Constandius, directed by Zoettje Hofmeyr and staring Antoinette Pienaar, Ilse Roos, André Schwartz and Jannie Hofmeyr); Gifbessie (1988, cabaret by André Fox); The Gypsy Love Story (1994, written by Richard Smollen).

Productions 1995-

With the change in management structure, an increasing number of professional productions (notably from the various Arts Festivals) and student productions from the University of Stellenbosch Drama Department were now presented, although the amateur wing of the old club continues to exist, having a representative on the management committee.

Productions in this period include “Want, kyk die bruidegom is hier” (a production about Hennie Aucamp’s work) and “Pas de Deux” of Hugo Claus,***

Community theatre

From 1995 onwards, the a community theatre workshop was also run, producing work such as Hoe issie lewe oor die Krismis (1998, facilitated by Amelda Brand with female farm workers). Out of this grew the strong community thyeatre activities of the club, initiated and run by Brand, taken over in 2000 by Saartjie Botha, and later by Kabous Meiring. The amateur wing of the old club continued to exist, having a representative on the management committee.

EXTRA NOTES

In 1967 the club moved to the old stables on the Bergzicht grounds where it is still situated today.

Until 1994 the Libertas Theatre was exclusively an amateur club. The name changed to Klein Libertas Theatre to distinguish it from the Oude Libertas Theatre of Distell. As the political structures in the country changed and the arts councils fell away, artists started creating their own work and needed venues to perform. The Klein Libertas Theatre answered perfectly to this need and is therefore now not only used by amateurs and upcoming artists but more and more by professionals as well.

Although the theatre still keep it’s amateur wing alive, the emphasis nowadays fall heavy on community theatre projects of which the “Pretty Ladies”, a well-known group of farmworker women, was the first project. Recently the Klein Libertas Theatre also registered as a production house – of which two professional productions namely, “Want, kyk die bruidegom is hier” (a production about Hennie Aucamp’s work) and “Pas de Deux” of Hugo Claus, with Nicole Holm and Johann Nel, were extremely successful. Both Nicole and Johann were nominated for the Fleur du Cap-awards.

The Klein Libertas Theatre still focus stongly on amateur theatre, but also functions as a  Community theatre  Children and Youth theatre  Professional theatre

The original purpose of the Klein Libertas Theatre was to allow the theatre lovers of Stellenbosch to have a club where they can live out their love for the performing arts and play an active rol in the development of the community. This is still the mission.

For enquiries contact our office at 021 883 8164 between 10h00 and 14h00.

NEEDS TO BE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH

The Libertas Theatre Club was founded on 5 April 1960 in Stellenbosch after the local theatre lovers dreamed of such a club for very long. The Libertas Theatre Club, as it was named, had it’s headoffice in the old wine cellar on the farm Vredelust in Dorp Street. Today the well known De Kelder Restaurant is hosted there. Jean en Willa Krige van Vredelust in Dorpstraat, het goedhartiglik hulle kelder tot die beskikking van die klub gestel. Die lokaal het geen beligting, geen verhoog, geen gordyne, geen stoele of kleedkamers gehad nie en vir hulle eerste produksie op 21 Februarie 1961 in hul nuutgevonde “teater” moes hulle ‘n piepklein verhogie met vier geleende rostrums bou, ‘n paar stoele leen en in die Eikestadnuus adverteer dat die gehoor asseblief hulle eie stoele moet saambring na die vertoning! Die gebrek aan ‘n plafon het die akteurs byna onhoorbaar gelaat onder die sinkdak as dit reën, die sementvloer het die lokaal in ‘n reuse yskas verander in die winter en die gehoor moes koes om die reuse houtstutte wat die dak gestut het. In die foyer (wat ‘n aangrensende skuur was) het plaasimplemente en bale strooi gelê, maar binne die eerste twee jaar was daar ‘n permanente verhoog, stoele wat goedkoop van die Girl Guides aangekoop is, ‘n verhooggordyn wat deur Binnehuis geskenk is, twee reuse wynvate wat as kleedkamers ingerig is en geen houtstutte in die ouditorium nie! Omdat daar as gevolg van die groepsgebiedewette nie ‘n gemengde gehoor mog wees nie, is spesiale vertonings vir die swart en kleurling gemeenskappe gehou en dit is met hierdie opvoerings wat rekord gehore getrek is.

Ses jaar later moes die klub ander huisvesting soek toe die Krige-familie hul plaas verkoop het. Die munisipaliteit was bereid om die ou vervalle skuur/stal wat op daardie stadium nog die eertydse eerste Stellenbosche brandweerwa gehuisves het, op die Bergzicht markplein aan hulle te verhuur en effens op te knap.

In die jare voor 1960 was daar van tyd tot tyd heelwat belangstelling in die amateur teater bedrywighede op Stellenbosch. Veral Charles Johnman en Betty Hugo het in die vyftiger jare produksies gehad wat groot opspraak verwek het. Op 5 April 1960 is die stigtingsvergadering van die Libertas Teater Klub onder leiding van Myrel Ginsburg gehou met Charles Johnman, Piet van Straaten, Myrel Ginsburg en Bobby Ohlsen as bestuurslede. Die komiteelede was Betty Hugo, M. de Villiers, Jane Turner, Marie Malherbe, Prof du P Erlank, mev P. Osler, Jim Allan en mnr Alexander. Die klub se eerste produksie is in die destydse Denne-oord skoolsaal gehou en met die donasies wat hulle by die deur ontvang het die aand, is die klub se eerste bankrekening geopen.

Jean en Willa Krige van Vredelust in Dorpstraat, het goedhartiglik hulle kelder tot die beskikking van die klub gestel. Die lokaal het geen beligting, geen verhoog, geen gordyne, geen stoele of kleedkamers gehad nie en vir hulle eerste produksie op 21 Februarie 1961 in hul nuutgevonde “teater” moes hulle ‘n piepklein verhogie met vier geleende rostrums bou, ‘n paar stoele leen en in die Eikestadnuus adverteer dat die gehoor asseblief hulle eie stoele moet saambring na die vertoning! Die gebrek aan ‘n plafon het die akteurs byna onhoorbaar gelaat onder die sinkdak as dit reën, die sementvloer het die lokaal in ‘n reuse yskas verander in die winter en die gehoor moes koes om die reuse houtstutte wat die dak gestut het. In die foyer (wat ‘n aangrensende skuur was) het plaasimplemente en bale strooi gelê, maar binne die eerste twee jaar was daar ‘n permanente verhoog, stoele wat goedkoop van die Girl Guides aangekoop is, ‘n verhooggordyn wat deur Binnehuis geskenk is, twee reuse wynvate wat as kleedkamers ingerig is en geen houtstutte in die ouditorium nie! Omdat daar as gevolg van die groepsgebiedewette nie ‘n gemengde gehoor mog wees nie, is spesiale vertonings vir die swart en kleurling gemeenskappe gehou en dit is met hierdie opvoerings wat rekord gehore getrek is.

Ses jaar later moes die klub ander huisvesting soek toe die Krige-familie hul plaas verkoop het. Die munisipaliteit was bereid om die ou vervalle skuur/stal wat op daardie stadium nog die eertydse eerste Stellenbosche brandweerwa gehuisves het, op die Bergzicht markplein aan hulle te verhuur en effens op te knap.

Tien jaar na die stigting was die klub reeds so suksesvol dat hulle deur KRUIK genooi is om hul produksie van “Winners” deur Brian Friel en vervaardig deur Marie van Heerden, in die destydse Hofmeyr Teater in Kaapstad op te voer. Johann van Heerden en Sharon Montgomery was die twee akteurs. Die klub se nuusbrief, Ad Lib, het in Februarie 1981 vir die eerste keer verskyn.

Om gemeenskapsprojekte te kan bedryf en finansier is dit sinvol dat die Klein Libertas ook kommersiële produksies akkommodeer. Onder die huidige bestuur is dus besluit om die Klein Libertasteater op verskeie bene te bedryf naamlik amateur-, kommersieel-, jeug- en gemeenskapsteater. Die teater is ook ‘n geregistreerde produksiehuis en stuur produksies regoor die land om aan die kunstefeeste deel te neem. Verskeie toekennings is al vir regie en spel ontvang. Die teater is betrokke by verskeie gemeenskapsprojekte.

Sources

Earlier history and productions: Marie van Heerden's personal collection of photographs, newspaper clippings and theatre programmes.

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