Gustav Thiel
CAPE actors currently employed by the Cape Association Performing Arts Board (Capab) plan the genesis of a major independent drama company, the first of its kind in South Africa, when they are retrenched at the end of this month.
The resident artistic director of Capab, Marthinus Basson, responded to an article published ln the Mail & Guardian where it was reported for the first time that the drama division will be closed at the end of March.
Basson had talks with two well-known Johannesburg directors, Clare Stopford and Ilse von Hemert, about the possibility of forming a new company and making the move to the Cape in the process.
Capab actors are also said to be keen to join the planned company.
Said Basson: “Although the actors are very unhappy about the situation, we have to face reality and respond to a situation where government has decided it cannot afford to sponsor major drama productions.
“There is a wealth of talent in South Africa and enormous commitment to acting, and therefore I have been toying with the idea of forming an independent drama company,” said Basson.
The decision to close Capab’s drama division signals the end of staging the majority of plays from the Nico Malan Theatre, Capab’s base.
The majority of Capab’s resident actors, who will be out of work when the last production is completed at the end of May, said they received poor package offers from Capab.
“This is nothing new and I expected it anyway because actors have always been underpaid in South Africa … We need our own company in Cape Town to make sure that theatre survives in the province,” said Basson.
The M&G also reported that Capab’s previous chief executive, George Loopuyt, received a large settlement when he left the association. Loopuyt denied this allegation and said he was willing to open his financial affairs to public scrutiny.
“I didn’t receive one cent beyond the normal pension that I was allowed, but I have little interest in Capab’s current affairs,” said Loopuyt.
Basson said he never considered Loopuyt to be the right man to head Capab. “He, like any others connected with Capab, was ruled by government intervention and Broederbond connections.
“Those days are fortunately behind us, but we still have to face the fact that the current government will not sponsor major drama productions. The desire among actors is still there to continue, and I’m sure we’ll establish a strong company and we’ll stage a range of productions,” said Basson.