Jean Plaat-Stultjes
(Stage name in South Africa of Jan Grinwis Plaat. 18*-19*) Fine Dutch and Afrikaans actor and set-builder. Born in Belgium (This according to Ludwig Binge. F.C.L. Bosman says in South Africa, but grew up in Belgium), he trained and performed (as Jan Plaat) with the Hagespelers in 't Voorhout of Eduard Verkade (1926-1928).
He came to South Africa in 19** and . In 1930 he founded a touring theatrical company under his own name called Die Plaat-Stultjes Geselskap. Their tour started with four one-act plays, namely Die Brief van die Blinde Moeder ("The Letter of the Blind Mother"), Toorheksie van Geluk ("The little witch of happiness/good fortune"), Die Kaartjieknipper ("The ticket-taker ") and Arm Mans Rykdom (Poor Man's Riches"). They then continued with a number of sentimental pieces such as East Lynne, Wania, Die Teken van die Kruis, In die kloue van Satan and Moederloos. The plays were beatifully set in designs by Plaat-Stultjes himself. He died unexpectedly of pneumonia in Vanrhynsdorp on 22 September 1934. At the time of his death he had been preparing two new Afrikaans works, namely Streke van Jakhals ("Tricks of Jackal" - a play based on contemporary events, but featuring animals) and Skuld en Boete (Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.) He also starred in the famous Afrikaans film Moedertjie, based on the play In die Wagkamer ("In the waiting room") by J.F.W. Grosskopf. Filmed as Moedertjie ("Little Mother") for African Film Productions by the producer Joseph Albrecht and directed by Stephanie Faure in 1931.
Sources
Ludwig Binge, 1969; F.C.L. Bosman, 1980
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