Jansenville Drama Vereniging

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The Jansenville Dramavereniging was an theatrical society in Jansenville in the Karoo.

It is sometimes incorrectly called the Jansenville Dramatiese Vereniging.

Known in English as the Amateur Dramatic Society, Jansenville or the Jansenville Amateur Dramatic Society.

Founding, function and history

The group, consisting of a group of amateur and professional actors who lived in or around the rural town of Jansenville, Eastern Cape, was founded on May 14, 1959, with Dr Frans Nell (chairman), Rita Greeff (secretary), and Ms Andre Slabbert (later Andre Glaum) (treasurer).

In 1961 Pauline van Zyl was made secretary and together with Jannie van Zyl, Ice Lötter and Rykie Lötter (professional). They acted together over a period of 30 years. Other members included Chris Ackerman, Susie Crouse, Bertie de Beer, with schoolgirls Arina van Zyl (now Arina de Witt) and Annabie de Beer who did much singing. Hannes van Eck provided music with his concertina.

In 1972, Kongres was the Jansenville Dramavereniging's first production to come in at first place during the ??? Competition.

During its existence it travelled widely around the Eastern Cape and gave performances mainly at smaller villages, as well as putting on over 200 performances in centres as far apart as Aliwal North, Hartenbos and Bloemfontein d. Many of their productions were staged in the Jansenville Town Hall. Some members of the club were D J De Villiers, Mr E.H. Egan, Mrs Egan, Mrs Orsmond, Mr Etto van Bonde, Mrs van Bonde and Maud Jones.

Performances were given until 1973 when, with the imminent arrival of TV, a decision was taken to disband the group.

Contributions to South African Theatre

1959: Ligblou Vaas; produced by H Booysen, starring Andre Slabbert and Frans Nel.

1959: Mamma Het Planne. Produced by Rita Greef and starring Johannes Slabbert, Magrieta Slabbert, Gielie Grobler, Valerie Nel and David Birch.

1959: Kerse Teen Die Wind. Produced by Rykie Lötter and starring Helen Booysen, Jannie van Zyl, Ice Lötter and Johannes Slabbert.

1960: Die Hele Dorp Skinner. Produced by Rita Greef and starring Rykie Lötter, Ice Lötter, Johan Bekker, Truida Bekker, Gielie Grobler, Abel Pienaar, Beryl la Grange, Bettie Nel, Danie Knoetze and Rita Greef.

1961: Verskeidenheidskonsrt (Variety Concert). Produced by Adele Ossher.

1962: Verskeidenheidskonsrt (Variety Concert). Produced by Adele Ossher.

1963: Dienie Speel Toneel. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Pauline van Zyl, Joey Steenkamp, Chris Steenkamp and Francois Slabbert.

1963: Sorry, Wrong Number. Produced by Adele Ossher. Starring Ice Lötter, Adele Ossher and Bertie de Beer.

1968: Bly Kalm. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Theo Skein, Joey de Beer, Pauline van Zyl, Rykie Lötter, Terry Terblanche and A Nieuwoudt.

1968: Oupa Saliger. Produced by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Loamie Terblanche, Bertie de Beer, Renier Grobler, Pauline van Zyl, Arina van Zyl, Sandra Muller and Ice Lötter.

1971: Heimwee (Memories) Produced by Ice Lötter and Rykie Lötter. 1st, 2nd and 3rd act by Pauline van Zyl. Starring Maans Kemp, Annette ?, Chris Ackerman, Wessel Cornelius, Janet Cornelius, Ice Lötter, Rykie Lötter, Pauline van Zyl, Jannie van Zyl, Arina van Zyl, Annabie de Beer, Hannes van Eyk, Susie Crouse, Sarie Slabbert, Nic Botha, Dirk Smit, Joyce Smit, Christo van Wyk, Henna Jooste and Gerrit van Wyk.

1971: As Nefie Kom Kuier, an Afrikaans one-act farce by Gerhard J. Beukes (1913 - 1998) was a production for the ATKV competition. Produced by Chris Ackerman. Starring Arina van Zyl, Dawie de Beer, Annabie de Beer and Elno Jansen.

1972: Kongres, lead role played by Pauline van Zyl (Doctor ?).

1973: Ou Bokke and Groen Blare won the ATKV annual acting competition. Starring Chris Ackerman, Rykie Lötter, Roelf van der Merwe, Lucy Smit, Jannie van Zyl, Ice Lötter, Pauline van Zyl and Eunice van der Merwe, was presented in the Jansenville Town Hall. Joyce Smith???

Awards

1972, Kongres won first place in the Cape provincial round of the annual ATKV Competition.

1973: Ou Bokke and Groen Blare won the top award at the ATKV National competition in Bloemfontein.

Sources

"Jansenville, Yesterday and Today," Chronicles and Anecdotes of a Noorsveld Town, 1855-1955 by Sid Fourie. Published by The Jansenville Chronicle, Jansenville, Cape Province, 1956.

Interview with Pauline van Zyl

"Turning Back the Pages - The Story of a Noorsveld Town and District", Jansenville by Sid Fourie. Esco Publishers, Jansenville.

Go to ESAT Bibliography