("Clairvoyant in the Suburbs") A hugely successful stage play by P.G. du Plessis, and a filmed version of the play by Quadro Films.

The stage play

A play by P.G. du Plessis.

Original text

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.

Published by Tafelberg, 1971.

Besides numerous acting and directing awards, the text won the Hertzog Prize for Drama (with consideration of Die Nag van Legio), the CNA Prize for Afrikaans Fiction and the Grosskopf Prize for the author.

Performances

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.

1978: Produced by CAPAB, 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 Stellenbosch;

1980: Produced by PACOFS , directed by Schalk Jacobsz with Willem de la Querra (Giel), Lida Meiring (Ma), Nico Liebenberg (Jakes), Roelien Spruyt (Tiemie), Henry Mylne (Tjokkie), Pieter Brand (Albertus) and Ronel Kriel (Fé). Decor and costumes by Cyril Londt, lighting by Brian Evans. Stage manager William Czerepowicz.

19** Produced by ** in 19* * (with Ben Kruger as “Jakes”);

2002: Directed by Chris Vorster at the KKNK, with Thys De Villiers as “Jakes” and Sandra Prinsloo as “Ma” , Brian Webber, Anriette van Rooyen, Franci Swanepoel, and Jacobus Venter.

Translations and adaptations

An English version entitled Seer in the Suburbs, adapted by Peter Krummeck) was produced by CAPAB in 198*??? under the direction of Roy Sargeant?*

1981: 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.

The film

A script by P.G. du Plessis (based on his play) was filmed by Quadro Films, directed by Francois Swart, with cinematography by Koos Roets and editing by Tokkie Wehmeyer.

The film was basically a filmed version of the original stage production, with the same cast and director. The cast consisted of Marius Weyers, Louis van Niekerk, Sandra Prinsloo, Don Lamprecht, Wilna Snyman, George Ballot, Karen van Wyk and Don Barrigo (uncredited).

Production credits for the film include Colin Ward (production manager), Eric Smith (as Erick Smith - music), , Richard Cook (set design), and Richard Lomba (sound).

Released in 1973.