THE STAR
Johannesburg - 1935, July 27
The first
Afrikaans version of Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” was produced last night
at the Turffontein Dutch Reformed Church Hall by students of The Potchefstroom
University College.
Mesdames Wood
and Nel, who were responsible for the translation deserve credit for the high
standard of their work, which abounds in appropriate and vigorous idiomatic
renderings.
The acting on
the whole was very good, though the enunciation was in some cases poor, due,
perhaps, mainly to the speed with which many of the lines were taken. The
length of the play necessitated this.
The production
was significant in its reflection of the spirit of the great original not only
in costume, acting and lines, but also in setting the stage having been
arranged on much the same line as the open one of Shakespeare’s day.
Mr. JC
Coetzee, if somewhat extravagant at times, filled the part of Shylock well, and
Miss L le Ches, as Portia, was the outstanding player of the evening.
Others
who deserved special mention were Mr JP du Toit, as Gratiano, and Mr AW Muller,
as Bassanio.
Good though
they were, some players would add to the quality of the production if their
bearing and general deportment reflected more of the quiet, genteel dignity of
the Venetian noble of the period.
Last night’s performance was the first of a
series that will entertain audiences throughout the Northern Transvaal.
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