Jansenville Drama Vereniging

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The Jansenville Drama Vereniging was an theatrical society in Jansenville in the Karoo.

It is sometimes incorrectly called the Jansenville Dramatiese Vereniging.

Known in English as the Amateur Dramatic Society, Jansenville or the Jansenville Amateur Dramatic Society.

Founding, function and history

The group, consisting of a group of amateur and professional actors who lived in or around the rural town of Jansenville, Eastern Cape, was founded on May 14, 1959, with Dr Frans Nell (chairman), Rita Greeff (secretary), and Ms Andre Slabbert (later Andre Glaum) (treasurer).

In 1961 Pauline van Zyl was made secretary and together with Jannie van Zyl, Ice Lotter and Rykie Lotter (professional), they acted together over a period of 20 years. Other members included Chris Ackerman, Susie Crouse, Bertie de Beer, with schoolgirls Arina van Zyl (now Arina de Witt) and Annabie de Beer who did much singing. Hannes van Eck provided music with his concertina.

In 1972, Kongres was the Amateur Dramatic Society, Jansenville's first production to come in at first place during the ??? Competition.

During its existence it travelled widely around the Eastern Cape and gave performances mainly at smaller villages, as well as putting on over 200 performances in centres as far apart as Aliwal North, Hartenbos and Bloemfontein d. Many of their productions were staged in the Jansenville Town Hall. . Some members of the club were D J De Villiers, Mr E.H. Egan, Mrs Egan, Mrs Orsmond, Mr Etto van Bonde, Mrs van Bonde and Maud Jones.

Performances were given until 1973 when, with the imminent arrival of TV, a decision was taken to disband the group.

Contributions to South African Theatre

1970: Heimwee (Memories) by Ice Lotter and Rykie Lotter

1971?: As Nefie Kom Kuier, an Afrikaans one-act farce by Gerhard J. Beukes (1913 - 1998) was a production for the ATKV competition.

1972: Kongres, lead role played by Pauline van Zyl (Doctor ?).

1973: Ou Bokke and Groen Blare, starring Chris Ackerman, Rykie Lotter, Roelf van der Merwe, Lucy Smit, Jannie van Zyl, Ice Lotter, Pauline van Zyl and Eunice van der Merwe, was presented in the Jansenville Town Hall. Joyce Smith???

Awards

1972, Kongres won first place in the Cape provincial round of the annual ATKV Competition.

1973: Ou Bokke and Groen Blare won the top award at the ATKV National competition in Bloemfontein.

Sources

"Jansenville, Yesterday and Today," Chronicles and Anecdotes of a Noorsveld Town, 1855-1955 by Sid Fourie. Published by The Jansenville Chronicle, Jansenville, Cape Province, 1956.

Interview with Pauline van Zyl

"Turning Back the Pages - The Story of a Noorsveld Town and District", Jansenville by Sid Fourie. Esco Publishers, Jansenville.

Go to ESAT Bibliography