Arts Writer
IN 1975 Pieter-Dirk Uys and Trix Pienaar did a sketch in the anti-censorship revue Strike up the Banned at the old Space Theatre in Cape Town. It was a spoof of a radio serial, reflecting the reality of the never-ending Springbok Radio soap operas aired at the time.
The snot-en-trane drama was called Die Van Aardes van Grootoor, presented by Kux Toiletseep and dramatically introduced by a sweeping musical theme, which was to become famous in its own right and is still associated with the even more famous (and real) radio serial, Die Du Plooys van Soetmelksvlei.
In 1977 an experimental theatre group called Fringe extended Die Van Aardes van Grootoor into a play which ran a year later for another 18 months.
Now in 2015, this sprawling seepie has been transformed into a musical with book and lyrics by Pieter-Dirk Uys, who also directs the show, and music by Godfrey Johnson. It runs at Theatre on the Bay until January 9.
A new generation of South Africans can share the laughter and tears, with Aia Siena, Tannie Dolla, suster Mimi, Brenda, John Firestone Junior, Tertius, Ouma, Elana van Aarde, Fanie and Evert.
The boeredrama, which tells a story of family, murder, lust and corruption, is staged mostly in Afrikaans.
“If Dawie Malan were alive today, he would be directing this production and give it another breath of imagination and delight. So I dedicate this 21st century celebration to his memory,” says Uys.
“I still see him in his kitchen in Tamboerskloof in 1977, glass of wine in hand, cigarette in his mouth, growling at the world with a twinkle in his eye and saying: ‘Ja, f*k, die wêreld sal nog van ons hoor! Ons, die Van Aardes van Grootoor!’”
l Tickets: R100 to R275, through Computicket 0861 915 8000, www.pietertoerien.co.za