Verkiesing sonder politiek!
Verkiesing sonder politiek! is an Afrikaans play in four acts by Gerhard J. Beukes. Subtitled "’n Ligte satire in drie bedrywe" ("A light satire in three acts") or in a later (1964) edition "'n Skertsstuk in drie bedrywe" ("A satire in three acts"), it satirises the Afrikaner's fascination with politics, rugby and beauty queens. Beukes was apparently inspired to write the play by NTO director P.P.B. Breytenbach.
Published in Pretoria J.L. van Schaik in 1956, reprinted 1964.
Performance history in South Africa
1955: First performed by NTO in 1955, directed by Robert Mohr, after some hesitation from the NTO board about the political nature of the play. However additional support by literary icon Eitemal finally led to a production and a successful run. The play opened on 15 April 1955 in Bloemfontein, then toured the country, playing for 279 performances. The cast: Pieter Geldenhuys as Sarel Brand (replaced by Eghard van der Hoven when Geldenhuys became ill), Elsa Fouché, Reenen van Niekerk, Pieter Wilcocks, Petro van der Walt and Dalene Pretorius and directed by Robert Mohr.
1984: An updated version was performed in the Bloemfontein Civic Theatre by PACOFS , directed by Schalk Jacobsz.
Sources
Gerhard J. Beukes (1913–1998) by Erika Terblanche, in LitNet 2014-08-21.
Verkiesing sonder politiek! theatre programme, NTO, 1955.
Taalgenoot, 24(4), 1955.
Lantern, 5(3):283-286. Feb 1956.
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