Die Rebellie van Lafras Verwey

[“The Rebellion of Lafras Verwey”] by Chris Barnard. A compelling and popular radio drama, also produced on stage. The play tells the story of a South African version of a Walter Mitty type figure, with tragic overtones.

The original text

First broadcast by the SABC on *** ,

First published by Tafelberg in 1971.

In 1970 the play was awarded the SABC/Belgian Radio and Television Prize. As radio play it received the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns prize in 1973 and the Idem Prize for the best text in the period 1970-1980.

Translations and adaptations

The text was translated into Flemish, Dutch, English, Italian and it was broadcast by several European radio stations.

Performance history in South Africa

Staged by PACOFS in 1972, directed by Gerrit Geertsema, starring Henk Hugo, Anton Welman and Trudie Taljaard and by PACT in 1974 with *** as Lafras. Often performed thereafter.

KRUIK Toneel produced an award-winning version of the play opening 7 May 1992 at the Nico Arena with Marthinus Basson as Lafras, George Ballot (Vaatjie), Francois Coertze, Neels Coetzee, Gys de Villiers, Mary Dreyer, Jan Ellis, Isabella Mostert, Taniya van der Merwe. Directed by Jannie Gildenhuys. Designs by Marthinus Basson, lighting design by Malcolm Hurrell, musical direction by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.