Diepe Grond

(Lit: "Deep Ground", a play on the Afrikaans version of the saying "Still waters run deep"] by Reza de Wet. A disturbing metaphoric look at the Afrikaner psyche, a Gothic style story of incest, apparent madness and murder on a secluded farm. The play caused a sensation when it was first performed.

Publication history

First published by HAUM-Literêr in 1987, then in the De Wet collection Vrystaat Trilogie ["Free State Trilogy"] in 1991 (HAUM-Literêr).

Translated into English by the author, and published as African Gothic in Plays two published by Oberon, 2005. (Good Heavens and Breathing In are also included in the collection.)

Stage productions

1984: First production at the Kampustoneel festival in by the Rhodes Unviersity Drama Department, directed by Denys Webb, with De Wet playing "Soekie", ***).

1985: First professional performance at the Market Theatre in 1985, directed by Lucille Gillwald, with Susan Coetzer and Dawid Minnaar in the leads,

Other productions:

1986: Opening 18 June Upstairs at the Market, directed by Lucille Gillwald, with Dawid Minnaar, Susan Coetzer, Gys de Villiers and Doris Simula. Decor by Nadya Cohen, costumes Hazel Maree, lighting Mannie Manim.

1996: Presented by KRUIK Toneel directed by Marthinus Basson (assisted by Sandra Temmingh), with Nicola Hanekom (Soekie), Chris Vorster (Frikkie), Jan Ellis (Grové) and Pinky Ngxangane (Ou Alina). Opened 25 March 1996 at the H.B. Thom Theatre, 3 April 1996 at the KKNK and 13 April 1996 at the Nico Malan Theatre. Set designed by Marthinus Basson, costume design by Peter Cazalet, lighting design by Kobus Rossouw.

1999: Staged in the Hull Street Theatre in Kimberley, directed by Anel de Swardt, with de Swardt, Barry Strydom, Edwin Stanger and Ida Krohne.

2003: Staged in an English translation (by Reza de Wet) as Run to Ground in the KwaSuka Theatre in Durban, directed by Greg King, with Belinda Harward, Steven Stead, Patti Nokwe and Frantz Dobrowsky.

2011: The English version staged under the title African Gothic at the Arcola Theatre in London in August 2011, directed by Naomi Wirthner, with Jane Gwilliams, Gil Sutherland, Naomi Wirthner and Gary Wright.

Translations

The play has been translated into English by Reza de Wet, under a number of names. Among them Deep Ground, Run to Ground and African Gothic

Film version

The English version of the play was adapted for film called African Gothic in 2012-2013, the script written and produced by Damon Shalit, directed by Gabriel Bologna and starring Damon Shalit as Frikkie, Chella Ferrow as Sussie and Jonny Coyne as Grove, with Glen A. Vaughn, Maria Olsen, Connie Jackson, David Verne and Aviv Gadi.

The film had its world premiere at the Durban International Film Festival (SA) in 2013, and went on to win a number of awards at various festivals around the world.

Sources

Temple Hauptfleisch 2009 Die Dramaturg as Dromer. In: Reza de Wet. Die Blou Uur Kaapstad: Maskew Miller Longman.

Artslink.co.za <news1014@artslink.co.za>

http://www.africangothic.com.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reza_de_Wet

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