Oefening Baart Kunst
Oefening Baart Kunst ("Practice produces Art"): Pretoria, 1891 – 1899. An amateur theatrical society founded in Pretoria in 1891, aiming to maintain and enhance the Dutch language in Pretoria. They had their first production in April 1891 and focused on serious (melodramatic) plays, such as Janus Tulp (October 1891), De Drie Hoeden ("The three hats" - December 1891), Pappa gaf Permissie ("Father gives permission" March 1892), Het Testament van Oom Jan ("Uncle Jan's will" - March 1892) and De Bibliothekaris ("The Librarian"). De Dochters van Haseman ("The daughters of Haseman" by Adolf l’Arronge) was considered to be its best production and also its last.
Performances were held in the President Theatre. Some key actors included: U. Jansen, A. Berger, M.C. van Driel and C. Bietz. P.J. du Toit (1988) says it was defunct by 1893, but the company’s successful run definitely came to an end with the start of the Anglo-Boer War in 1899, ostensibly because of the competition from English café concerts and other entertainments.
Sources
Ludwig Binge, 1969; Jill Fletcher, 1994; P.J. du Toit, 1988) [LO, JH]
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