Ons Teatertjie Toneelgroep

(“Our little theatre theatre group”), Pretoria. Considered to be the best organised Afrikaans theatre society of its time, it was founded by former members of Kaapse Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging (KAT), Anna Neethling-Pohl, prof. M.L. du Toit and Leonie Pienaar in 1935. Other members included Dr. W.H. van der Merwe and P.J du Toit.

The name of the company reflected the main ambition of the group: to establish a small theatre along the lines of the Little Theatre in Cape Town, and to indulge in experimental work not possible for commercial and professional groups. This ethos was reflected in the choice of Ibsen’s Boumeester Solness (The Master Builder) as first production, at a time when Ibsen was neither well-known nor popular. This production, as well as subsequent productions in 1936, e.g. three locally written one-act plays ( Terwyl daar Basaar gehou word by Marie Linde, Die Peswolk by J.F.W. Grosskopf , In die wagkamer by J.F.W. Grosskopf), Rooibruin Blare and Ousus by H.A. Fagan (as a double bill), and Hantie Kom Huistoe by P.W.S. Schumann were however extremely well-received by the press. On 19 November 1936, the final performance of Hantie Kom Huistoe , the society ceased to exist under this name, and on the 12th December of the year the name was changed to Volksteater.

Sources

(See Ludwig Binge, 1969; P.J du Toit, 1988) [TH, JH]

For more information

See Ons Teatertjie and Volksteater

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