Tot Nut en Vermaak en Door Yver Vruchtbaar

Tot Nut en Vermaak en Door Yver Vruchtbaar ("For Use and Entertainment and Prolific Through Diligence"), also known as Het Privaat Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap (“The Private Dutch Amateur Company”) was a Dutch amateur company founded in the Cape in 1844.

Formed from the amalgamation of Tot Nut en Vermaak and Door Yver Vruchtbaar, the company began to perform under the combined motto of "Tot Nut en Vermaak en Deur Yver Vruchtbaar", by which name they were to become known for a brief period.

Productions

Their first production Natuur en Pligt (Volmeranges) and De Dronkaard (Kotzebue) took place on 5 June 1844 in the Roeland Street Theatre. Unlike the English companies at the time the Dutch allowed actresses in their company. The company received good reviews throughout 1844/5.

Other pieces in this period included Roland de Monglave, of De Zegepraal der Onschuld and Het Misverstand, of Elk is een Dief in zyne Nering (3 April 1846); De Burgemeester (Von Brühl) and De Bloemenkrans, of De Minnaar in den Boom (Sprong) on 20 October, 1846.

Finally on 2 November 1846 it was announced that the company would stage its last production, reason being insufficient support from the Dutch community. They performed De Baron van Felsheim (Bernos) and Uilenspiegel (Kotzebue) on this occasion.

Their productions were well-received, but by 1847 their support amongst the Dutch-speaking public had waned so far that the company disbanded shortly thereafter. It is likely, however, that the members of this company then formed the core of Hoop en Trouw, which was founded in 1848.

[JH/TH]

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [1]: pp. 445-452

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