Siener in die Suburbs
[“Seër in the Suburbs”] by P.G. du Plessis. Published by Tafelberg, 1971. An enormously popular, much celebrated and multiple award-winning play depicting the lives of the “poor white” Afrikaans-speaking inhabitants of the working class southern suburbs of Johannesburg in the 1950s. First performed in a record-breaking run by PACT in 1971, directed by Francois Swart, featuring Marius Weyers (“Jakes”), Sandra Prinsloo (“Tiemie”), Louis van Niekerk, George Ballot, Don Lamprecht, Annette Engelbrecht and Wilna Snyman. Repeated again by PACT, with productions at various places in the country over the years.
Other productions over the years include ones directed by Schalk Jacobsz with Paul Slabolepszy (Jakes), Johan Botha (Tjokkie), Lida Meiring, Willem de la Querra and Mary Dreyer in the Nico Malan Theatre and the H.B. Thom Theatre in 1978; PACOFS 1980, directed by Schalk Jacobsz with Nico Liebenberg, Roelien Spruyt, ** in 19* * (with Ben Kruger as “Jakes”), by Chris Vorster in 2002 (at the KKNK, with Thys De Villiers as “Jakes” and Sandra Prinsloo as “Ma” , Brian Webber, Anriette van Rooyen, Franci Swanepoel, and Jacobus Venter.
The original production was filmed, largely on the stage set, in 197* by Albie Venter (?*) directed by Francois Swart with the original cast.
Besides numerous acting and directing awards, the text won the Hertzog Prize for Drama (with consideration of Nag van Legio), the CNA Prize for Afrikaans Fiction and the Grosskopf Prize for the author.
Siener in die suburbs, PG du Plessis, regie Chris Vorster, KKNK, 2002. Brian Webber, Sandra Prinsloo, Anriette van Rooyen, Gys de Villiers, Franci Swanepoel, Jacobus Venter.
An English version entitled Seer in the Suburbs, adapted by Peter Krummeck) was produced by CAPAB in 198*??? under the direction of Roy Sargeant?* A Baxter Theatre Production was performed in the Baxter Theatre in 1981, directed by Charles Comyn. The cast included Trix Pienaar, Peter Piccolo, Peter Krummeck, Robin Smith, Brümilda van Rensburg, Maria Schoeman.
Source
Barrow, Brian & Williams-Short, Yvonne (eds.). 1988. Theatre Alive! The Baxter Story 1977-1987.
PACT Newsletter, October 1971.
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