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  www.hoenderhok.co.za Sabbatical year for Die Hoenderhok Die Hoenderhok theatre will be enjoying a year’s sabbatical during 2010. Unless otherwise advertised, we will not be hosting any performances this year. Sabbatsjaar by Die Hoenderhok Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the cluck clucking of chickens calls out to people to gather in the Langverwagt chicken shed. The call is not from the resident rooster, but from a CD, and is used by Die Hoenderhok theatre to summon the audience to take their seats. Die Hoenderhok theatre is based on the Langverwagt farm in Kuilsriver and has been hosting shows since February 1. Co-founder of the theatre, Marius du Plooy, has good reason to rave about this idyllic setting. "It's a magical atmosphere and a different experience. It's more than just a theatre experience, the ambience is unbelievable. It is a small, intimate theatre where the audience are centimetres from the stage," he says. Die Hoenderhok is blessed with being surrounded by nature's splendour - a 200-year-old oak tree imperiously guards the building while the farm's verdancy adds an aesthetic lushness that is priceless. The farm itself is over 300 years old and its history is almost tangible when stepping inside Die Hoenderhok - which derives its name from what the building was once used for - a chicken shed. When the Le Roux family took over the farm nine years ago, they converted it and a decrepit wine cellar into a hall, which is used over weekends for wedding receptions. The idea of opening a theatre came after they had staged an informal
one-woman show, Mona Loog by Helena Conradie, on the premises.
Du Plooy approached Juria Le Roux, who had agreed to host the show.
Du Plooy, who co-owns a communications company, has been in entertainment
himself - he has been a journalist, a television presenter on Potpourri
and an actor - his last role was as a health inspector on Fishy
Feshuns two months ago. They then set about the task and had a 4m by 2.5m stage built,
and Le Roux painted four oil canvasses, all with a chicken theme,
which now graces the theatre's walls. The seats used for the weddings
double as seats for the audience. They also installed basic lighting,
and the artists bring their own sound. On performance nights, Le
Roux also hangs two burgundy drapes either side of the stage to
give that "theatrical feel". Le Roux says the venue being
on the family farm, meant they did not have to worry about paying
rent. "That's why we can keep the ticket prices fairly cheap.
For R88 you can enjoy wine and a light meal and a show. The food
we serve is also all home made which makes it honest and good." The theatre accommodates between 80 to 100 people, and says Le Roux, has attracted people from all over the Western Cape. "We've also had US and Dutch tourists to come see some of our shows. People have heard from us through the media and also through word of mouth. We've also had one of the Western Cape ministers here. Some of the women on the farm also came to watch Mona Loog and identified with the character who is a domestic worker," she says. They have so far hosted five performances, including a one-man show featuring Fanus Rautenbach, the one time Radio Sonder Grense legend. "It was an interactive show where people challenged him. It is great that artists have been approaching us to play here and are willing to come here even after we tell them that they won't be making any money. Singers Jannie du Toit and Christa Steyn will be coming here after the KKNK and Marius told them they won't be making money and they said no problem, they want to play here. That is extremely enriching," Le Roux says. Le Roux says they were also keen on giving young performers a platform.
"We would have to see them or listen to a demo tape first though.
We are not trying to be exclusive, but there needs to be some sort
of quality control." |
