W.H. van der Merwe

W.H. van der Merwe (18*-19*). Also known as Neep van der Merwe. Actor, stage manager and director.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Studied at the University of Stellenbosch and was a member of the university's Unie-Debatsvereniging (later the US Dramatic Society) and in the 1920s he acted alongside Anna Pohl in some pieces. These include Lentewolken by Herman Roelvink (1925) and Master Builder by Henrik Ibsen (1927), translated into Arikaans by C.G.S. de Villiers.

He was the stage manager ("toneelbestuurder") for Leonie Pienaar & Company for Die Veroweraar (Simons-Mees, 1933/4). Became an active participant in the formation of Ons Teatertjie (later the Volksteater) in Pretoria in 1935, an active member of their management and a performer. He acted in 11 plays between 1935 and 1942, including Boumeester Solness (Ibsen, 1935), In die Wagkamer (J.F.W. Grosskopf, 1936), Ousus (H.A. Fagan, 1936), Die Laaste van die Takhare (C.J. Langenhoven, 1939) *.

As director, he made his debut co-directing Ousus (1936).

Sources

See Binge, 1969; Du Toit, 1988 [TH, JH]

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