Die vonkel in haar oë!

("The glint in her eye - a play about my region" or "The sparkle in her eyes!") A popular Afrikaans romantic comedy about life in the Kalahari by Gerhard J. Beukes. Subtitled "'n spel van my kontrei" ("a play from my region".)

The original text

First published in 1960 by J.L. van Schaik, reprinted a number of times.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

First produced by National Theatre Organisation, opening on 8 February 1960 in the Bloemfontein Civic Theatre, directed by Michal Grobbelaar featuring i.a. Elsa Fouché, Schalk Jacobsz and Pietro Nolte. Taken on a successful tour throughout the country.

Performed by ** in the Windhoek Theatre in February 1967

Presented by B.A.T. at the Bellville Civic Theatre on 21 and 22 October 1968 under the direction of Ulrich Fobian.

Directed by Paul Malherbe for CAPAB, 16 March to 1 April 1989 in the Nico Malan Theatre, design by Peter Krummeck, with Flip Theron, Dulsie van den Bergh, Pieter Bredenkamp, Limpie Basson, Gustav Geldenhuys, Nico de Beer, Elma van Wijk, Gretha Brazelle, Johan Botha. Lighting by Malcolm Hurrell.

Staged from June to September 2004 by the Afrikaanse Toneelgenootskap under patronage of the GHA (Genootskap vir die Handhawing van Afrikaans), directed by Jan van Niekerk and performed in various school and church halls around Pretoria.