Diepe Grond

(Lit: "Deep Ground", a play on the Afrikaans version of the saying "Still waters run deep"] by Reza de Wet. A disturbing metaphoric look at the Afrikaner psyche, a Gothic style story of incest, apparent madness and murder on a secluded farm. The play caused a sensation when it was first performed.

First published by HAUM-Literêr in 1987, then in the De Wet collection Vrystaat Trilogie ["Free State Trilogy"] in 1991 (HAUM-Literêr).

Translated into English as African Gothic and published in Plays two published by Oberon, 2005. Good Heavens and Breathing In are included.

Productions

1984: First production at the Kampustoneel festival in by the Rhodes Unviersity Drama Department, directed by Denys Webb, with De Wet playing "Soekie", ***).

First professional performance at the Market Theatre in 1985, directed by Lucille Gillwald, with Susan Coetzer and Dawid Minnaar in the leads,

Other productions:

1986: Opening 18 June Upstairs at the Market, directed by Lucille Gillwald, with Dawid Minnaar, Susan Coetzer, Gys de Villiers and Doris Simula. Decor by Nadya Cohen, costumes Hazel Maree, lighting Mannie Manim.

1996: Presented by KRUIK Toneel directed by Marthinus Basson (assisted by Sandra Temmingh), with Nicola Hanekom (Soekie), Chris Vorster (Frikkie), Jan Ellis (Grové) and Pinky Ngxanga (Ou Alina). Opened 25 March 1996 at the H.B. Thom Theatre, 3 April 1996 at the KKNK and 13 April 1996 at the Nico Malan Theatre. Set designed by Marthinus Basson, costume design by Peter Cazalet, lighting design by Kobus Rossouw.

1999: Staged in the Hull Street Theatre in Kimberley, directed by Anel de Swardt, with de Swardt, Barry Strydom, Edwin Stanger and Ida Krohne.

2003: Staged as Run to Ground (an English translation by Reza de Wet) in the KwaSuka Theatre in Durban, directed by Greg King, with Belinda Harward, Steven Stead, Patti Nokwe and Frantz Dubrowsky.

2012: A feature film based on Diepe Grond (African Gothic) was adapted for the screen and produced by Damon Shalit and directed by Gabriel Bologna in 2012. [1]

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