Stephan Bouwer

Stephan Bouwer (1948-1999) was an Afrikaans poet, actor, playwright, stage and television director and literary critic.

Biography

He went to Pretoria Boys' High School, then attained his Licentiate in Drama at the University of Pretoria and continued his studies at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium.

He worked for PACT as actor then became a drama director for SABC Television from 1973 to 1987, and a lecturer in communication sciences at the Rand Afrikaans University (now the University of Johannesburg).

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Actor

He appeared on stage in Die Drie Van Der Walts, Die Dans van die Reier, As Ons Twee Eers Getroud Is, Die Hand Vol Vere (1971), Of Mice and Men and Oedipus by Ted Hughes.

Writing for the stage

He wrote Die Brummers Hou Bruilof, Die Terugkeer van Mej du Buisson and devised the cabaret Kort Voor Lank.

Stage director

He directed Mirakel (1992), Charley se Tante, A Man for All Seasons, Kopstukke and, the last play that he directed before his death, Inkleurboek vir Twee.

TV writer, producer and director

Alongside his impact on the development of the popular Afrikaans music in the 1970s and the establishment of Afrikaans Kabaret as a cultural force in the country, Bouwer's most powerful impact was on television.

His producer credits include:

1976: Liesbeth Slaap Uit (TV Movie) and Dokter, Dokter (TV Series)

1978: Drama Drama (TV Series)

1980: Die Koningin en die Rebelle (TV Movie)

1985: Dodedans (TV Movie)

1986: Die Seemeeu (TV Movie)

His directing credits include:

1976: Dokter, Dokter (TV Series), La Musica (TV Movie), Liesbeth Slaap Uit (TV Movie), Brug 14 (TV Movie documentary) and Oom Diederik leer om te huil (TV Movie)

1978: Drama Drama (TV Series), Die Koster (TV Movie) and Nagspel (TV Movie)

1979: Die Wilde Eend (TV Movie)

1980: Meulenhof se mense (TV Mini Series), Die Koningin en die Rebelle (TV Movie)

1981: Ntunzini-Spa (TV Series)

1982: Die dame met die kamelias (TV Movie)

1983: Hedda Gabler (TV Movie) and Die kersietuin (TV Movie)

1984: Die Jare (TV Movie) and Juffrou Julia (TV Movie)

1985: Dodedans (TV Movie) and Drie Susters (TV Movie)

1986: Huisjakker (TV Series), Halfmanspunt (TV Movie), Arme moordenaar (TV Movie), Die Seemeeu (TV Movie)

His TV writing, adaptation and translation credits include:

Afrikaans translations of: La Musica (TV Movie, 1976), Juffrou Julia (TV Movie), Die Dame met die Kamelias (TV Movie, 1982) (Afrikaans translation)

Screenplays/TV adaptations of: 'n Bruidsbed vir Tant Nonnie (TV Movie, 1976), Liesbeth Slaap Uit (TV Movie, 1976) and Meulenhof se mense (TV Mini Series, 1980)