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.

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 as (African Gothic *?*), (Run to Ground) *?* Dearth Deep Ground?* and published in the collection **** published by in 2000?*.

Productions

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

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: Upstairs at the Market, directed by Lucille Gillwald, with Dawid Minnaar, Susan Coetzer, Gys de Villiers and Doris Simula.

1996: Produced in The Arena in the Nico Malan Theatre by CAPAB, directed by Marthinus Basson (assisted by Sandra Temmingh), with Nicola Hanekom, Chris Vorster, Jan Ellis and Pinky Ngxanga.

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

2012: A feature film based on Diepe Grond (African Gothic) was adapted for the screen and produced by Damon Shalit and directed by Gabriel Bologna in 2012. [1]

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