South Africa¡¯s Afrikaans-language pay-TV channel kykNET will broadcast two acclaimed stage productions on 29 November and 6 December.
The productions, which were directed by Albert Maritz, are titled Wyk en die Meisies and Elders aan Diens. Both uniquely combine music and drama and generated critical praise for their respective performers.
In Wyk en die Meisies three women tell the story of artist NP van Wyk Louw in a unique and accessible way. The script is roughly based on research done by J.C. Steyn regarding Van Wyk Louw¡¯s life and work. It investigates his relationships and interactions with contemporaries such as the politician HF Verwoerd, the theologian and anti©\apartheid activist Beyers Naud¨¦ and the writer and poet DJ Opperman. His controversial love life also provides quite entertaining material.
There are no formal poetry recitals, only snippets of some poems emerge throughout. Van Wyk Louw¡¯s story is instead portrayed through the musical adaptations and the dramatic and often humorous tales.
Elders aan Diens is an adaptation of the acclaimed poet and writer Jeanne Goosen¡¯s book of verse with the same title. Goosen¡¯s great knowledge of humankind and her brilliant use of Afrikaans are displayed here without any pretence by the three actors, enhanced by the musical performances and beautiful compositions.
Performers in the show include Erica Wessels (Orion, Erfsondes, Vallei van Sluiers), Tinarie van Wyk (Orion, Vallei van Sluiers), Frieda van den Heever and Luna Paige.
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Wyk en die Meisies was partly filmed at the Jans Rautenbach Schouwburg in Prince Albert and the old Dorp Street Theatre in Stellenbosch. Elders aan Diens was filmed at the Klein Libertas Theatre in Stellenbosch.
