Pieter Fourie (1940-) se bydrae as Afrikaanse dramaturg en kunstebestuurder: 1965-2010
Abstract
English: In this descriptive study, it was found that Pieter Fourie’s development as playwright
cannot be separated from the changing socio-political, religious dogma and
economic circumstances in South Africa during his childhood years, as a student,
and as a creative theatre artist. The influence of fellow artists, lecturers and
philosophers, and the situation and development in the world of the theatre to which
he was exposed as an artist, including the influence of it on his development as an
individual and writer, his involvement as professional theatre artist from 1940 to
2011, as producer and actor (1965-2005), as arts administrator at CAPAB (1957-
1986) and KKNK (1994-1999) are examined chronologically.
The research problem, methodology and research design and ethical consideration
are explained in short in this study. The playwright’s role as folk theatre and informal
historian within time bound, geographical and demographical systems is clarified.
How these systems are reflected in the playwright’s work is investigated. In addition,
the development and functioning of internal theatre systems within which the theatre
artist finds himself is explained. The influence of external systems, such as politics,
religion, censorship, etc. on his life as an individual, artist and theatre administrator,
is discussed.
In this biographical description, Fourie’s personal and artistic career is discussed
chronologically. The main corpus of the study undertakes a critical investigation of all
his published plays, as well as the professional staging of these plays by several
theatre institutions. Fourie’s career, initially as folk theatre writer in the realistic style
and later as highly respected playwright, whose experimentation in Afrikaans drama
is seen as shifting boundaries, is discussed in detail utilising literary publications,
reviews and personal interviews with Fourie and other roleplayers.
The study concludes that Fourie was exceptionally successful in writing accessible
folk theatre, despite how innovative his work was with regards to style and content.
In retrospect, his work was often predictive in nature or he fearlessly placed on stage
the true political and social circumstances in the country. His work clearly can be
seen as that of an informal historian. Finally, the study mentions the numerous
accolades he received, with the highlight being the Hertzog Prize for Drama and the
Honorary Doctorate (D.Litt.) in Drama and Theatre Arts from the University of the
Free State. Afrikaans: In hierdie beskrywende studie word bevind dat Pieter Fourie se ontwikkeling as
dramaturg nie los gesien kan word van die veranderende sosio-politieke, religieuse
dogma en ekonomiese omstandighede in Suid-Afrika tydens sy jare as kind, as
student en as skeppende teaterkunstenaar nie. Die invloed van medekunstenaars,
dosente en filosowe en die stand en ontwikkeling in die teaterwêreld waaraan hy as
kunstenaar blootgestel is, asook die invloed daarvan op sy ontwikkeling as mens en
skrywer, sy betrokkenheid as professionele teaterkunstenaar vanaf 1940 tot 2011 as
regisseur en speler (1965-2005), as kunste-administrateur by KRUIK (1957-1986) en
KKNK (1994-1999) word kronologies onder die loep geneem.
Die hoofsaaklik kwalitatiewe en etnografiese navorsing fokus daarop om Pieter
Fourie se rol as volksteater- en informele geskiedskrywer, binne tydgebonde-,
geografiese- en demografiese sisteme, op te klaar. Hoe hierdie sisteme neerslag
vind in die dramaturg se werk word ondersoek. Ook die ontwikkeling van en
werkinge van die interne teatersisteme waarbinne die teaterkunstenaar hom bevind
word verduidelik. Die invloed van eksterne sisteme soos politiek, religie, sensuur
ens. op sy lewe as mens, kunstenaar en teateradministrateur, word bespreek.
In dié biografiese beskrywing word Fourie se persoonlike en artistieke loopbaan
kronologies bespreek. Die hoofkorpus van die studie onderneem ‘n kritiese
ondersoek na al sy gepubliseerde dramas asook die professionele opvoerings
daarvan deur verskeie teaterinstansies. Aan die hand van literêre publikasies,
resensies en persoonlik onderhoude met Fourie en ander betrokkenes, word Fourie
se loopbaan, as aanvanklik volksteaterskrywer in die realistiese styl, tot ‘n mees
gerespekteerde dramaturg, wie se eksperimentering in die Afrikaanse drama
grensverskuiwend was, in detail bespreek.
Die slotsom van die studie is dat Fourie uitstekend daarin geslaag het om, ongeag
die vernuwing in sy werk wat styl en inhoud betref, steeds toeganklike volksteater
kon skryf. In retrospeksie was sy werk dikwels voorspellend van aard of het hy
vreesloos die ware politieke en sosiale omstandighede in die land op die verhoog
geplaas. Sy werk kan duidelik as informele geskiedskrywing beskou word. Die studie
noem ten laaste die vele bekronings waarmee hy vereer is, waarvan die Hertzogprys
vir drama en die eredoktorsgraad (D.Litt.) in Drama en Teaterkuns deur die
Universiteit van die Vrystaat die kroon span.