KAMPUSTONEEL 2024: MAL, MALLER, MALSSTE

Nica-May van Zyl 

@n.i.c.a.vz_12_

English follows Afrikaans 

“Ek is nie mal nie!” Die voorspelbare woorde wat Kampustoneel 2024 perfek opsom. Natuurlik ook ʼn onnodige hoeveelheid seks. So asof die gehoor ʼn kontrak by die deur geteken het wat sweer dat hulle nét sal lag as seks vyf keer in ʼn toneelstuk gesê word. Suggestief verby, as jy my vra, en dít deur die groot meerderheid studenteskrywers.  

     Patria Manskoshuis tydens hul wen produksie, Mallewales. [Foto’s: Tian du Preez]

Kampustoneel het vanjaar vanaf 22 Julie tot 26 Julie in die Sanlam Ouditorium plaasgevind. Seks was nie die enigste tema waarmee die kykers gebombardeer was nie, maar meer as die helfte van vanjaar se toneelstukke het een of ander sielsiekte aangespreek. Psigiatriese hospitale, skisofrene en koppe wat klap was volop. Hoekom vra jy?

Is dit omdat dit makliker is om ʼn mal mens te speel omdat dit ʼn polêre teenoorgestelde effek op die akteurs het? Of is dit omdat die wêreld mal is, wat dit makliker maak om daaroor te skryf.

Hoe ver is té ver? Is dit oukei om selfdood in ʼn toneelstuk uit te beeld om mense daarvan bewus te maak? Miskien, ja, maar dit is definitief nie oukei om met selfdood te spot, soos wat party toneelstukke het nie.

ʼn Anonieme student wat vanjaar op die verhoog en met tye in die gehoor was, het aan Wapad gesê dat dit gevoel het asof dié stereotipes al is wat die beoordelaars in ag geneem het. Sy noem dat sy ongelukkig was as gevolg van die mense wat net kon vloek, praat oor seks en gedink het dat dit oukei is om ʼn kunstenaars soos Corlea Botha se gewig te spot.

Daarteenoor het sy gesê: “Vir my koshuis het ek toneelweek gate uit geniet. Vir al die tonele wat bloed, sweet, trane en hul liefde vir toneel in hul stukke uitgestort het, vir júlle, het ek dit geniet vir die res, glad nie”. 

Connor Beck, die Kampus Studenteraad (KSR) se Voorsitter oor Kunste, gee sy opinie as antwoord op my ‘kuns’troversiële vraag oor vanjaar se malhuis en sekstendense. Hy noem dat daar elke jaar ʼn tema is wat deurtrek. “Laas jaar het ons veral baie kankerdramas gehad, omdat ons toe net uit ʼn pandemie uitgekom het en almal siekte op die brein gehad het. Dié jaar was dit malhuise se beurt. Ek dink dit weerspieël wat tans aangaan in ons omgewing met mense wat emosioneel nie op ʼn lekker plek is nie,” het hy verduidelik.

Op die sekstendens antwoord Beck dat dit op die einde van dag steeds studente bly en dat dít ʼn maklike manier is om ʼn “laggie” uit die gehoor uit te kry. “Die wat ek voel deurgegaan het is die wat wel ʼn dieper grappie ingesit het,” het hy genoem.

Om normaal te wees en iemand te speel wat mal is, geloofwaardig genoeg vir die gehoor om jou te glo, verg baie tegniek. Tegniek en talent is iets waaraan Patria Manskoshuis duidelik nie ʼn tekort het nie. 

Patria Manskoshuis se stuk ‘Mallewales’ geskryf deur die alombekende prof Pierre-André Viviers en professioneel oorgedra deur Philip Human en Bertus Buitenbach het die gehoor in vervoering gehad. Daar was oomblikke waar mense gehuil het van die lag, uitgebalanseer deur oomblikke van ernstige toneelspel, vermaaklike musiek én danspassies. Soveel so dat dié huis op kampus nog ʼn veer in hul toneelhoed verower het met vanjaar se wentitel vir die derde agtereenvolgende jaar. 

Frikkie van Mallewales, beter bekend as Bertus Buitenbach, gekroon as vanjaar se beste akteur.  

Vihan Wentzel, Patria se Kunste Huiskomiteelid (HK-lid), het gesê dat dit ʼn groot voorreg vir hulle is om weer te kon wen. “Dit is altyd lekker om te sien hoe die Patriane ons kom ondersteun. Die wen beteken vir Patria meer belangstelling en ondersteuning van kunste in die koshuis,” het hy verduidelik.

Klawerhof Dameskoshuis verwerf  ʼn algehele tweede plek tydens vanjaar se kampustoneel.

Vanjaar se algehele naaswenners het die gehoor verbaas met al drie die akteurs wat uit die gehoor uit toneel gespeel het. Klawerhof Dameskoshuis het die sosiale norme van hoe ons kampustoneel ken, aangespreek. 

Hulle het gefokus op die feit dat toneel moet gaan oor toneel self en nie die bykomende wow faktore nie. Met hul toneelstuk, ‘Toneel is vir tappits’ wat geen dekor en minimale klank en ligte gehad het, het hulle die koppe behoorlik laat draai.

Lorraine Hamilton-Attwell, ʼn student uit die gehoor, het gesê dat ‘Toneel is vir tappits’ haar gunsteling toneelstuk was: “Ek het my maag seer gelag en elke oomblik geniet! Dit was so lekker om tussen al die stres van die universiteit net te kan ontspan.”

ʼn Stukkie toneelgoud wat die titel van die beste sleeptoneel ingepalm het, asook die algehele derdeplek, kan as niks anders as amusant opgesom word nie. ‘Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta’ is deur Dinki Damesdorpskoshuis en Veritas Manskoshuis opgevoer en sonder om die malhuis, selfdood, vloek of seks boksies te tiek het hulle gesorg vir komiese verligting wat die gehoor deur die donker en vulgêre chaos gedra het. 

Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta in vanjaar se beste sleeptoneel.

Die towerspel van die eeue oue Romeo and Juliet is met vandag se wette aan die gehoor oorgedra. Die toneelstuk was ʼn kombinasie van skreeusnaakse sê-goed wat rym en pure oordrewe toneel spel. Die spelleiding was ook perfek uiteengesit vir die gehoor om kop te hou van die gebeure op die verhoog. Dié sleep het juis daarom skoonskip gemaak en met die meeste titels vanjaar weggestap (sien resultate onderaan). 

Richanda Struwig, Kunste Portefeuljekomiteelid (PK-lid), het gesê dat vanjaar se kampustoneel die beste een van haar sewe jaar op die PUK was: “Die kreatiwiteit en die feit dat daar meer komiese stukke was en nie net dramas nie het vir my uitgestaan.”

Vanjaar se beste ondersteunende akteur, Parra, van Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta.

Nog ʼn opvallende tendens wat vanjaar tydens toneelweek ʼn verskyning gemaak het is die gebruik van skerms en skaduwees. Talle koshuise het óf die manier hoe iemand doodgemaak is óf die manier hoe iemand dans met ʼn skerm en die akteurs se skaduwee uitgebeeld. 

Veritas Manskoshuis het my nostalgies laat voel en my teruggevat na my laerskoolklasse met ʼn soortgelyke tegniek in hul enkeltoneel. In hul toneelstuk ‘Kaleb’ het hulle ʼn truprojektor in die donker Oudit gebruik om op ʼn groot skerm visueel by te dra tot hul toneelstuk. 

Beck het aangevoer dat die hoeveelheid tonele wat vanjaar deelgeneem het vir hom uitgestaan het: “Vroeër jare het ons tussen 21 en 22 tonele gehad maar die jaar moes ons ʼn ekstra aand bysit omdat daar 27 tonele was”. 

Elizma Scholtz, ondervoorsitter van die Kunste PK, asook ʼn lid van die Golden Trio (soos hulle hulself gedoop het) saam met Beck en Struwig het gesê dat kampustoneel ʼn belangrike aktiwiteit op die kampuskalender is omdat dit soveel studente die geleentheid bied om deel te neem. 

Sy spreek die feit aan dat studente nie noodwendig talent nodig het om deel te wees van die toneelspan nie. Weens die geleenthede by die tegniesespan en mense wat agter die verhoog werk, kry almal ʼn kans om blootgestel te word. 

Met Vrydagaand, 26 Julie, se finaal is die rooitapyt uitgerol, baniere is opgeslaan en die seremoniemeesters het geskitter met hul blinker belaaide uitrustings. Die agt toneelstukke is opgevoer, en die 2024 kampustoneelwenners is 23:00 aangekondig. ʼn Atmosfeer van angs en opgewondenheid het oor die Oudit gehang soos die koshuise opgedaag het. 

Terwyl die titels oorhandig is, was daar duidelike vreugde sigbaar met die akteurs van Oosterhof dameskoshuis wat op-en-af op die verhoog gespring het van blydskap. Die ander toneelspanne het mekaar ook omhels en gejuig van ekstase.

ʼn Opgetooide verhoog net voordat die kampustoneel konings gekroon is. [Foto: Nica-May van Zyl]

Mia-Bi Hamilton-Attwell, uit die gehoor, het gesê dat die toneelweek se finaal vir haar ʼn belewenis was. “Ek het baie gelag en ek moes dieper dink oor die betekenisse van party tonele. Ek het selfs ʼn traan of twee gepink, ” het sy gesê. 

Struwig het gesê dat sy die liedjies wat tydens vanjaar se tonele gespeel het nooit sal vergeet nie omdat dit al vir weke in haar kop vassit. Die een ding wat jy ook nie van Kampustoneel 2024 móét vergeet nie, is dat iemand beslis mal is as hulle herhaaldelik sê, “Ek is nie mal nie!”

Resultate 

Kampustoneel 2024

Algeheel

1. Mallewales – Patria Manskoshuis 
2. Toneel is vir tappits – Klawerhof Dameskoshuis 
3. Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Damesdorpskoshuis en Veritas Manskoshuis

Sleep 

1. Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Damesdorpskoshuis en Veritas Manskoshuis
2. In ʼn neutedop – LaVaria Damesdorpskoshuis en Ratau Lebone Manskoshuis 
3. Ontsnap – Heide Dameskoshuis en Hombré Manskoshuis 

Mans

1. Mallewales – Patria Manskoshuis 
2. Streetwise – Ratau Lebone Manskoshuis 
3. Die ongesiendes – De Wilgers Manskoshuis

Dames

1. Toneel is vir tappits – Klawerhof Dameskoshuis 
2. Hot Sad Girl Era – Oosterhof Dameskoshuis 
3. Hospitaal 224 – Wag-‘n-Bietjie Dameskoshuis 

Beste Ondersteunende akteur

Parra: Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Damesdorpskoshuis en Veritas Manskoshuis

Beste Ondersteunende aktrise

Korporaal: Die Grensgeval – Vergeet-My-Nie Dameskoshuis

EN

Albie: Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Damesdorpskoshuis en Veritas Manskoshuis

Beste akteur

Frikkie: Mallewales – Patria Manskoshuis

Beste aktrise

Ané: Hospitaal 224 – Wag-‘n-Bietjie Dameskoshuis

Beste kostuum

1. Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Damesdorpskoshuis en Veritas Manskoshuis
2. Geldjie asseblief – Villagers Mansdorpskoshuis

EN 

Die Grensgeval –  Vergeet-My-Nie Dameskoshuis

Beste dekor en rekwisiete

1. Mallewales – Patria Manskoshuis

EN 

Hot Sad Girl Era – Oosterhof Dameskoshuis 

EN 

Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Damesdorpskoshuis en Veritas Manskoshuis

Beste regie

1. Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Damesdorpskoshuis en Veritas Manskoshuis
2. Toneel is vir tappits – Klawerhof Dameskoshuis 
3. Mallewales – Patria Manskoshuis 

EN 

In ʼn neutedop – LaVaria Damesdorpskoshuis en Ratau Lebone Manskoshuis

EN 

Hospitaal 224 – Wag-‘n-Bietjie Dameskoshuis

EN 

Hot Sad Girl Era – Oosterhof Dameskoshuis 

Beste tegniese spanne

Benoni Springs – Heide Dameskoshuis 

Beste Ensemble

Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Damesdorpskoshuis en Veritas Manskoshuis

Teksversorging deur Christinet Zaal

 

CAMPUS THEATRE 2024: CRAZY, CRAZIER, CRAZIEST 

“I’m not crazy!” The predictable words that perfectly summarise campus theatre 2024. Of course, also an unnecessary amount of sex. It was almost like the audience signed a contract at the door promising to only laugh if sex is mentioned in a piece. Too suggestive, if you ask me. And this by the majority of student writers. 

Campus theatre took place from 22 July to 26 July in the Sanlam Auditorium. Sex was not the only theme audience members were bombarded with, as more than half of this year’s pieces addressed some sort of mental illness. Psychiatric hospitals, schizophrenia and heads rolling were everywhere. Why, do you ask?

Is it because it might be easier to play a crazy person as it has a polar opposite affect on the actors? Or is it because the world is crazy, making it easier to write about?

How far is too far? Is it okay to portray suicide in a play to create awareness? Maybe, yes, but it is definitely not okay to make fun of suicide – as some plays did. 

An anonymous student, who spent time both on stage and in the audience, told Wapad they felt like these stereotypes were all the judges took into account. They mentioned that they were upset because people could just swear, talk about sex and thought it was okay to make fun of singers like Corlea Botha because of their weight. 

However, they also added: “For my residence, I enjoyed the week incredibly. For all the plays that put their blood, sweat, tears and love into their pieces, for you I enjoyed it. For the rest, not at all.”

Connor Beck, the Students’ Campus Council (SCC) Arts Chairperson, gave his opinion on this year’s madhouse and sex trends. He mentioned that every year has a recurring theme. “Last year we had many cancer pieces, because we just came out of a pandemic and everyone had illness on their minds. This year it was madhouses. I think it shows us what is going on in our environment with people who are not in a good place emotionally,” he explained.

In the case of the sex trend, Beck answered that at the end of the day it’s still about the students, and it’s an easy way to get a giggle from the audience. “However, I believe the plays that went through are those that included a deeper joke,” he mentioned. 

To be normal and to play a crazy person, well enough for the audience to believe you, takes a lot of technique. Technique and talent are two things that Patria Men’s Residence clearly does not lack. 

Patria Men’s Resindence’s piece, ‘Mallewales’, written by the well-know prof Pierre-André Viviers, and professionally portrayed by Philip Human and Bertus Buitendach, had the audience hanging on to every word. There were moments where people laughed out of their bellies, balanced out by moments of serious acting, entertaining music and dance moves. This was done so well that the house on campus added another trophy to their collection, walking away with first place for the third consecutive year.

Vihan Wentzel, Patria’s Arts House Comitee (HC) member, said it was an absolute honour for them to win again. “It’s always great to see how the Patriane support us. This win means more interest and support for arts in our residence,” he mentioned. 

This year’s overall second place winners shocked the audience as all three actresses played their roles from the audience. Klawerhof Ladies’ Residence challenged the social norms behind campus theatre in new ways. 

They focused on the fact that theatre should be about the piece itself, and not about the extra wow-factors. With their piece ‘Toneel is vir tappits’ that had no decor and minimal sound and lighting, they left the audience astounded. 

Lorraine Hamilton-Attwell, a student from the audience, said that ‘Toneel is vir tappits’ was her favourite piece: “I had such a good laugh and enjoyed every moment. It was so great to just relax between all the university stress.”

The winners of the sleeptheatre category, and the overall third place, can be summarised as nothing else but amusing. ‘Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta’ was performed by Dinki Ladies’ Residence and Veritas Men’s Residence. Without adhering to the madhouse, suicide, swearing or sex trends, they provided comic relief that carried the audience through the dark and vulgar chaos. 

The age old story of Romeo and Juliet was carried over to the audience with today’s rules. The piece was a combination of funny, rhyming prose and exaggerated acting. It was also very easy for the audience to follow. This sleep could therefore leave with the most titles this year (see results below).

Richanda Struwig, Arts Portfolio Comitee (PC) member, said that, in her seven years at the NWU, this year’s campus theatre was the best yet: “The creativity and the fact that there were more comedies and not just dramas stood out for me.”

Another noticeable trend that was present this year, was the use of screens and shadows. Many residences chose to show how someone was murdered with a screen and the actor’s shadow. 

Veritas Men’s Residence left me feeling nostalgic and took me back to my primary school classes with a similar technique in their piece ‘Kaleb’. They used an overhead projector and a big screen, in the dark Audit, to visually add to their piece. 

Beck said that the amount of pieces that took part this year stood out to him: “In previous years, we had between 21 and 22 pieces, but this year we needed to add an extra night as there were 27 pieces.”

Elizma Scholtz, vice-chairperson of the Arts PC, and a member of the Golden Trio (as they call themselves) said, along with Beck and Struwig, that campus theatre is an important activity on the campus calendar as it gives so many students an opportunity to participate. 

She explained that students do not necessarily need a flair for acting to be part of the theatre team. There are enough opportunities behind the scenes for everyone. 

For the finals on Friday night, 26 July, the red carpet was rolled out, banners were set up and the MC’s sparkled in their shiny outfits. The eight pieces were performed, and the winners were announced at 23:00. An atmosphere of anxiety and excitement was present in the Audit as various residences showed up. 

While the titles were awarded, the Oosterhof Ladies’ Residence’s actresses were visibility excited and jumping for joy. The other teams also congratulated each other ecstatically. 

Mia-Bi Hamilton-Attwell, from the audience, said that the theatre week final was a great experience for her. “I laughed so much and I had to think twice about the meaning of some pieces. I may have even let a tear or two slip,” she said. 

Struwig said that she will never forget the songs that played in this year’s pieces, as they have been stuck in her head for weeks. The one thing you must never forget from campus theatre 2024, is that someone is definitely crazy if they repeatedly say, “I’m not crazy!”

 

Results

Overall

1. Mallewales – Patria Men’s Residence 
2. Toneel is vir tappits – Klawerhof Ladies’ Residence
3. Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Ladies’ Residence and Veritas Men’s Residence

Sleep 

1. Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Ladies’ Residence and Veritas Men’s Residence
2. In ʼn neutedop – LaVaria Ladies’ Residence and Ratau Lebone Men’s Residence
3. Ontsnap – Heide Ladies’ Residence and Hombré Men’s Residence

Men

1. Mallewales – Patria Men’s Residence
2. Streetwise – Ratau Lebone Men’s Residence
3. Die ongesiendes – De Wilgers Men’s Residence

Ladies

1. Toneel is vir tappits – Klawerhof Ladies’ Residence
2. Hot Sad Girl Era – Oosterhof Ladies’ Residence
3. Hospitaal 224 – Wag-‘n-Bietjie Ladies’ Residence

Beste Supporting Actor

Parra: Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Ladies’ Residence and Veritas Men’s Residence

Beste Supporting Actress

Korporaal: Die Grensgeval – Vergeet-My-Nie Ladies’ Residence

AND

Albie: Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Ladies’ Residence en Veritas Men’s Residence

Best actor

Frikkie: Mallewales – Patria Men’s Residence

Best actress

Ané: Hospitaal 224 – Wag-‘n-Bietjie Ladies’ Residence

Best costume

1. Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Ladies’ Residence and Veritas Men’s Residence
2. Geldjie asseblief – Villagers Men’s Residence

AND

Die Grensgeval –  Vergeet-My-Nie Ladies’ Residence

Best decor and props

1. Mallewales – Men’s Residence

AND

Hot Sad Girl Era – Oosterhof Ladies’ Residence

AND 

Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Ladies’ Residence en Veritas Men’s Residence

Best directing

1. Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Ladies’ Residence en Veritas Men’s Residence
2. Toneel is vir tappits – Klawerhof Ladies’ Residence
3. Mallewales – Patria Men’s Residence

AND

In ʼn neutedop – LaVaria Ladies’ Residence en Ratau Lebone Men’s Residence

AND 

Hospitaal 224 – Wag-‘n-Bietjie Ladies’ Residence

AND

Hot Sad Girl Era – Oosterhof Ladies’ Residence

Best technical team

Benoni Springs – Heide Ladies’ Residence

Best Ensemble

Alfie-Romeo en Prinses Julietta – Dinki Ladies’ Residence en Men’s Residence

Translated and edited by Christinet Zaal