Dolle Hans

Dolle Hans ("mad Hans") is described as am "indo-drama in drie bedrijven" by Jan Fabricius (1871-1964)[1].

The original text

Set in India, it is play about racial tensions in the Dutch army in the east and the relationship between a noble Indian/Dutch half-caste and a white woman. Dolle Hans was written in 1916 and played to sold out theatres in Rotterdam, becoming one of Fabricius's most popular works. The text was first published in Den Haag by L.A. Dickhoff, Jr. in 1916.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into English as and performed in London in the 1930s,

Translated into Afrikaans as Mal Hans ("mad Hans") by André Huguenet

Performance history in South Africa

1931: Directed and performed as his first independent production by André Huguenet under the patronage of Lord Clarendon, the governor-general of South Africa, with himself and Rena la Roche in the leading roles. (The theme however did not make it a popular choice of play for the times in South Africa).