Die Drie Van Der Walts

Die Drie Van Der Walts ("The Three Van Der Walts") is an enormously popular Afrikaans three-act farce about mistaken identies, written by E.A. Schlengemann (1904-1930).

Written in 19**, first published by De Bussy in 1932. Published by J.L. van Schaik Publishers in 1970.

The original text

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1932: Performed by the Graaff-Reinet Teacher's Training College under the direction of Hendrik Momberg.

1933: Performed by the Worcesterse Kultuurvereniging, directed by Leoni Pienaar.

The first professional production was by ** in 19**.

1969: Staged by PACT, directed by François Swart, featuring Carel Trichardt (Oom Gert van Draad), Katinka Heyns (Annie van Draad), Don Lamprecht (Jan Potgieter), Petru Wessels (Mev van der Walt), Marius Weyers (Frederik van der Walt), Louis van Niekerk (Ferdinand van der Walt), Sandra Prinsloo (Sofie Myburgh), William Egan (Mnr Spence), Schalk Jacobsz (Dr Pilsen) and Stephan Bouwer (Job). Décor by David Lister and costumes by Patricia Slavin. Opened in the Breytenbach Theatre on 27 February.

1970: Presented by PACOFS, directed by Franz Marx, starring Louise Mollett-Prinsloo and Johan Botha and again in 1982, directed by Henry Mylne, starring Louw Verwey, Christine Basson, Marko van der Colff, Nico Luwes and others. Decor by Johan Badenhorst, costumes by James Parker.

1979: Staged by PACT, directed by François Swart, featuring xxxxxxx (Oom Gert van Draad), xxxxx (Annie van Draad), xxxxx (Jan Potgieter), xxxxx (Mev van der Walt), xxxxx (Frederik van der Walt), xxxxx (Ferdinand van der Walt), xxxxx (Sofie Myburgh), xxxxx (Mnr Spence), xxxxx (Dr Pilsen) and xxxxx (Job). Décor by xxxxx and costumes by xxxxx.

1980: In commemoration of Schlengemann’s 75th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his death, a production was staged by SWAPAC, directed by Hannes Horne. An exhibition on Schlengemann’s life was opened by Anna Neethling-Pohl.