Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Coming-of-age play is timeless
Award-winning production about Afrikaner identity during apartheid to be performed for the 100th time
THE multiple award-winning play Die Reuk Van Appels has been extended at The Fugard Studio Theatre because of popular demand. Bookings are now open until Saturday, November 10.
Following a sensational national tour and international debut, the production, which is performed in Afrikaans with English subtitles, celebrates its incredible 100th performance today.
Die Reuk Van Appels is the acclaimed 1993 debut novel of South African author Mark Behr. Presented by Theatrerocket Productions and adapted for the stage by Johann Smith, it stars Gideon Lombard (... miskien, The View, Special Thanks To Guests From Afar,
Orpheus In Africa, Suidooster), and is directed by Lara Bye (Yellowman, London Road, Oscar en die Pienk Tannie, Vaslav).
Die Reuk Van Appels is the coming-of-age story of Marnus Erasmus, 11-year-old son of a South African Defence Force general. It eloquently captures the Afrikaner mentality in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the brutal consequences of apartheid and militarisation of South African life.
Since the production’s premiere at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) last year, it has received almost 20 awards and nominations. Among these are Best Actor at the KKNK, as well as Best Actor in a Solo Performance at all three of the major South African awards – the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, Naledi Theatre Awards and kykNET Fiësta Awards (2018).
Director Lara Bye won the Best Director kykNET Fiësta Award; playwright Johann Smith won the award for Best Adaptation of an Existing Work, while the production was awarded the coveted Best Overall Production of the Year.
The production will celebrate its 100th performance today during the Fugard Studio Theatre run.
The show is adapted from the book by Johann Smith. Lighting design is by Kosie Smit and sound design is by Gideon Lombard, who is also a musician.
Die Reuk Van Appels will run at the Fugard Studio Theatre until November 10, Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm with a 3pm performance on Saturdays. Tickets from R130 to R165 through the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or online at www.thefugard.com