Pieter Fourie

As in the case of "Johan", Pieter is one of the most commonly found first names, and Fourie equally widespread as a surname in South Africa, thus there are a number of individuals involved in theatre named Pieter Fourie.

Pieter Fourie, Playwright

(1940-) Actor, director, playwright and organiser. Born in Phillipolis in the Orange Free State, grew up in Luckhoff. Left school at 15, to become a postal worker in Bloemfontein and Koffiefontein. Then he returned to school in Phillipolis, before going to the University of Stellenbosch, initially doing Drama, but after an argument with the professor, Fred Engelen, he left to finish with a BA and a BA Honours degree in Afrikaans Literature. A founding member of D.J. Opperman’s literary laboratory, he initially published poetry in journals like Stiebeuel, Standpunte, Sestiger en Tydskrif vir Letterkunde. He was also a radical student leader at the time. In 1964 he started his own touring production company, with actresses such as Christine Basson en Marie Pentz, writing and directing the work himself. In 1966 he joined the CAPAB Drama Company as company manager of the Afrikaans Company. In 1967 he was made Artistic Director for Afrikaans Drama, and in 1968 Artistic Director for Drama, a position he held for sixteen years (from 1968-1984). Then became Playwright in Residence withPACT for 5 years. In this time he ** In 19* he was one of the people who started the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) in Oudtshoorn, and was its director for five years. Also involved with ATKV Kampustoneel,Logan Toneelfees. Founded a production company, Rooderandt Produksies. As playwright he has written many works over the years including Die Joiner (19**), Mooi Maria (19**), Ek, Anna van Wyk (19**), Die Koggelaar (19**), Faan se Trein (19**), Faan se Stasie (19**), Donderdag se Mense (1990); Die Groot Wit Roos; Naelstring (2001 - also done in English as Fuck thy Father), Gert Garries –‘n baaisiekel babelas (2002), Koggelmanderman (2003), In 199* awarded a Erepenning (=Honorary Penant) for his contribution to the performing arts by the SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns and in 2003 received the prestigious Hertzog Prize for Drama for his plays. Other awards include Johan Nell-prize for his contribution to local theatre, Dawie Malan/Dalroprize for the best new play; the SACPAC prize for the best new South African text (Die koggelaar); winner Nagtegaal/KKNK-competition for a new text , 2002; the Three Leaves Award for best director; for So ‘n Liefde (Pavel Kohout).

Sources

Tucker, 1997

Go to South African Theatre/Bibliography

Pieter-Paul Fourie, Playwright and literary advisor

See Pieter-Paul Fourie

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