(David Muller)
Durban can look forward to the return of
the Merry Scholar, alias Cape Town actor, David Muller who is staging some of
Herman Charles Bosman's best short stories in his Oom Schalk, from the Heart, the first of a series of shows David
intends bringing to theatres around the country.
He arrives at DHS’s Seabrooke's Theatre
direct from the National Arts Festival and will open on July 15 for a short
season. Apart for one, all the stories in the show have been related by
Bosman's fictitious but much loved uncle, Schalk Lourens; and as a treat there
is a surprise in store which in Lourens' parlance is in good upright
taste.
"One of the comments I have had about
the show," says Muller, "is the surprise that it is in English. Quite
amusing really for Bosman himself asked to be called 'bossman' and not 'bos' as
in the Afrikaans for 'bush'. Of course people often say that he wrote Afrikaans
in English,” he goes on to explain with a chuckle. ”This means that the show
may be understood in both languages.”
Percy Sieff first performed Bosman's
stories in Cape Town while Patrick Mynhardt toured South Africa and abroad
quite extensively with various shows about Bosman's writings.
Although David Muller's performance of Oom Schalk, from the Heart is a first at
Seabrooke's Theatre, he is no stranger to Durban's theatres. In the mid-80s, he
was contracted to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, under Professor Pieter Scholtz
and Themi Venturas, until the University of Natal disbanded its professional
theatre company. This did not deter the illustrious actor from staying in
Durban. Calling himself the Merry Scholar, he wrote 300 letters to as many
schools offering his services as a drama workshop facilitator.
"I got three replies," explains
David, "one said 'no thanks', one said 'maybe', while another said 'yes’!".
Since then he has not looked back, dabbling
successfully in theatre-in-education, especially promoting a love for reading
and storytelling, which he believes is a great way to educate young people.
What better way than to do it through Schalk Lourens and with Herman Charles
Bosman's short stories?
Oom
Schalk, from the Heart will be staged at
Seabrooke's Theatre from July 15. For bookings and further details contact
Ailsa on 083 250 2690.
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