Het Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap
Het Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap ("The Dutch theatre-loving Company") was an amateur theatre society in Cape Town.
Performed under the motto, and was also known as, Men Doet Wat Men Kan ("One does what one can").
Contents
History
Formed in Cape Town 1819, according to Bosman (1928), apparently by some rebels who had broken away from the company Tot Nut en Vermaak and possibly taking in some people from another society, Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense. The intention may have been to get all the Dutch performers together in one organization. Its secretary was J.C. Gie, formerly of Tot Nut en Vermaak, and C.E. Boniface was also involved.
Their motto was "Men doet wat men kan" ("One does what one can"), taken from the name of a play they had doen, Men Doet Wat Men Kan, Niet Wat Men Wil by Dorvigny.
The Performances
10 July 1819: Montoni, of Het kasteel van Udolpho in the African Theatre, Cape Town. Repeated on 25 September 1819
16 October 1819: Men Doet Wat Men Kan, Niet Wat Men Wil (Dorvigny) in the African Theatre, Cape Town, with Dago, of De Spaansche Bedelaars (Cuvelier).
Sources
F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [1]: pp. 132-136
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