Het Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap

("The Dutch Theatre-loving Company") (1819) Also known as Men Doet Wat Men Kan.

A Dutch amateur theatre society formed in Cape Town 1819, according to Bosman (1918), apparently by some rebels who had broken away from Tot Nut en Vermaak and possibly taking in some people from Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense. The intention may have been to get all the Dutch performers together in one organization. Their motto was "Men doet wat men kan" ("One does what one can"), taken from one of the plays they did. Its secretary was J.C. Gie, formerly of Tot Nut en Vermaak, and C.E. Boniface was also involved.

The Performances

10 July 1819: Montoni, of Het kasteel van Udolpho in the African Theatre, Cape Town. Repeated on 25 September 1819

16 October 1819: Performed by a new company called Men Doet Wat Men Kan, Niet Wat Men Wil in the African Theatre, Cape Town, with Dago, of De Spaansche Bedelaars (Cuvelier).

Sources

Bosman, 1928: pp 132-136

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