University of Stellenbosch Student Theatre

An umbrella name under which students and staff of the University produced plays. A number of projects fall under this over the years, including amateur theatre for staff and students under the auspices of the drama branch of the debating society (Unie-Debatsvereniging) founded by W.J. Viljoen, the University of Stellenbosch Dramatic Society/Dramavereniging, and an inter-house drama competition between residences, called ***. Numerous peformers, directors and playwrights got their start with these associations - particularly in the years preceding the formal founding of the US Drama Department in 196. *** [ITS LINK TO THE UNIE-DEBATSVERENIGING???] In 1919-1920 for example students and staff produced C.J. Langenhoven's Die Hoop van Suid-Afrika and Die Vrou van Suid-Afrika, under the direction of Mr and Mrs B.B. Weitsz and toured to 24 towns in the Cape Province with them. They later did some pieces by Ibsen (translated into Arikaans by C.G.S. de Villiers), Shaw and others, starring among others Anna Pohl and W.H. ("Neep") van der Merwe. ***

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