Der Bürgermeister

Der Bürgermeister ("The Mayor") is a 1963 German play by Gert Hofmann[1].

The original text

The play was originally written in 1962, while Hofmann was teaching German Language and Literature at Bristol University in the UK, and had its first production in January 1963, in an English version entitled The Burgomaster (translated by Donald Watson and performed by the Drama Department of the university), followed by a West End production under the new title Power of Persuasion, directed by Anthony Quayle and John Mills at the Garrick Theatre, London. It had its first German production as Der Bürgermeister on 30 November in the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus and as Der Bürgermeister, oder Die Macht der Oberredung in the Altelier Theater am the Naschmarkt in Vienna.

Published in German by S. Fischer Verlag in 1963.

Translations and adaptations

The play was hugely popular, and has been translated into many languages.

Translated into English as The Burgomaster by Donald Watson in 1962, and later renamed Power of Persuasion (1963).

Translated into French as Chez les Molls ou Le Bourgemestre by Laurent Lourson (1963

Translated into Afrikaans under the title Die Burgemeester by Bartho Smit. Published in Bartho Smit-Vertalings, 4 by HAUM Literary (1984).

Performance history in South Africa

1967: Performed in the Afrikaans translation by Bartho Smit as Die Burgemeester and directed by Fred Engelen for PACT shortly before his death in 1967 in a triple bill with Die Spel van Liefde en Toeval by Pierre Chamblain de Marivaux, and Dodedans by August Strindberg.

1972: Performed in the Afrikaans translation by Bartho Smit as Die Burgemeester and directed by Aubrey Berg for CAPAB in 1972 as "Laboratory Theatre", in one of the upstairs rehearsal rooms of the Nico Malan Theatre. Myself as Nagtegaal, Pieter Geldenhuys – Mol, and Aletta Bezuidenhout as Therese. It was Aubrey’s Professional Directorial debut. This role [and that of Maurice “Twee Laksmanne”] is probably my favorite work while I was under contract with KRUIK [Pieter Fourie], alongside Herr Schwartz – “Hond Se Gedagte” [a fluke literally pulled that performance together for me, and it became somewhat of a ‘meal ticket’ ~ Dieter was extremely patient and generous – since the concept was originally Gert Froebe, but turned into the Professor from Polanski’s “The Fearless Vampire Killers” ......!]