Harte-Bliksems

Afrikaans:

Harte-Bliksems is ’n energieke, skreeusnaakse en verrassend ontroerende Afrikaanse romantiese komedie wat die absurditite, vreugdes en seerplekke van liefde in die digitale era ondersoek. In ’n wêreld van profiele, voice notes en eindelose keuses volg die stuk twee Afrikaanse enkellopendes, Annamart en Andries, wat mekaar op die dating-app Biltong-En-Bokkies ontmoet. Wat begin as ’n tipiese aanlyn-afspraak ontwikkel in ’n reeks lawwe, ongemaklike en herkenbare ervarings wat die kompleksiteit van moderne liefde blootlê.

Deur ’n parade van eiesoortige karakters – waaronder Koos-met-die-Kar, die Neusninja, Soenel die CrossFit-fanatikus en Stefaan die haarproduk-entoesias – probeer Annamart en Andries elkeen op hul eie manier sin maak van intimiteit, verwagtinge en selfwaarde. Soos die verhale ontvou, word dit duidelik dat hul paaie reeds lank tevore gekruis het, en dat ware liefde soms nader is as wat algoritmes en swipes laat blyk.

Die produksie word vertolk deur slegs twee akteurs wat ’n verskeidenheid rolle speel, met vinnige karakterwisselings en sterk fisieke spel. Die minimalistiese stel bestaan uit ses ligblokke wat voortdurend verander om ruimte, stemming en emosionele ondertone te suggereer. Hierdie visuele eenvoud, tesame met ’n vinnige tempo en skerp humor, laat die fokus val op spel, teks en emosionele eerlikheid. Harte-Bliksems balanseer ligtheid en satire met opregte menslikheid en stel vrae oor konneksie, eensaamheid en die soeke na egtheid in ’n tegnologies bemiddelde wêreld.

Die produksie is doelbewus geskep met maklike toerbaarheid en minimale tegniese vereistes in gedagte, sonder om artistieke impak prys te gee. Humor dien as toegangspunt tot dieper temas soos identiteit, afsondering, kwesbaarheid en die universele behoefte om raakgesien en verstaan te word.

Produksiegeskiedenis

Harte-Bliksems het in 2025 by die Vrystaat Kunstefees (15–19 Julie) in première gegaan, waar dit besonder goed ontvang is. Alle vertonings was uitverkoop, met sterk gehoor- en kritiese reaksie. Die produksie is benoem vir drie Vryskitter-toekennings:

• Beste Produksie

• Beste Bemarking

• Beste Opkomende Kunstenaar (vir beide Anke Meyer-Auld en Norman Doubell)

Norman Doubell is uiteindelik bekroon met die Vryskitter-toekenning vir Beste Opkomende Kunstenaar. Hierdie erkenning bevestig die produksie se artistieke gehalte en potensiaal vir verdere feeste en toerings.

Kunstenaarsbiografieë

Anke Meyer-Auld is ’n dramaturg, aktrise en teatermaker met ’n besondere belangstelling in hedendaagse Afrikaanse stories en karaktergedrewe vertelling. Sy is die skrywer en medevertolker van Harte-Bliksems en het ’n sterk akademiese en praktiese agtergrond in drama en teaterkuns. Haar werk ondersoek dikwels temas soos identiteit, verhoudings, vroulike ervaring en die invloed van moderne samelewings op menslike konneksie.

Norman Doubell is ’n opkomende akteur met ’n sterk fisieke en komiese speltyl. In Harte-Bliksems vertolk hy ’n wye reeks karakters met presisie en energie. Sy werk in hierdie produksie is bekroon met die Vryskitter-toekenning vir Beste Opkomende Kunstenaar (2025). Norman se spel kombineer tegniese vaardigheid met instinktiewe komiese timing en emosionele eerlikheid.

DeBeer Cloete is die regisseur van Harte-Bliksems en het ’n gevestigde reputasie vir sy sensitiewe, speler-gesentreerde regiebenadering. Sy werk fokus op veilige skeppingsruimtes, helder storievertelling en die balans tussen speelsheid en struktuur. Onder sy leiding het Harte-Bliksems ontwikkel tot ’n afgeronde, toeganklike en sterk ensemble-produksies.

English:

Harte-Bliksems is an energetic, laugh-out-loud and unexpectedly moving Afrikaans romantic comedy that explores the absurdities, joys and vulnerabilities of love in the digital age. In a world of profiles, voice notes and endless choices, the play follows two Afrikaans singles, Annamart and Andries, who meet on the dating app Biltong-En-Bokkies. What begins as a typical online date unfolds into a series of absurd, awkward and deeply relatable encounters that reveal the complexities of modern love.

Through a parade of eccentric characters — including Koos-met-die-Kar, the Neusninja, Soenel the CrossFit fanatic and Stefaan the hair-product enthusiast — Annamart and Andries each attempt, in their own way, to make sense of intimacy, expectations and self-worth. As their stories unfold, it becomes clear that their paths crossed long before the app, and that true love may sometimes be closer than algorithms and swipes would suggest.

The production is performed by only two actors who portray a wide range of characters, featuring rapid character shifts and strong physical performance. The minimalist set consists of six illuminated blocks that continually transform to suggest space, mood and emotional undertones. This visual simplicity, combined with a fast pace and sharp humour, places the focus on performance, text and emotional honesty. Harte-Bliksems balances lightness and satire with sincere humanity, raising questions about connection, loneliness and the search for authenticity in a technologically mediated world.

The production was intentionally created with easy tourability and minimal technical requirements in mind, without sacrificing artistic impact. Humour serves as an entry point to deeper themes such as identity, isolation, vulnerability and the universal human desire to be seen and understood.

Production History

Harte-Bliksems premiered at the 2025 Free State Arts Festival (15–19 July), where it was exceptionally well received. All performances were sold out, with strong audience and critical response. The production received three Vryskitter Award nominations:

• Best Production

• Best Marketing

• Best Emerging Artist (for both Anke Meyer-Auld and Norman Doubell)

Norman Doubell was ultimately awarded the Vryskitter Award for Best Emerging Artist. This recognition confirms the production’s artistic quality and its potential for further festivals and touring.

Artist Biographies

Anke Meyer-Auld is a playwright, actress and theatre-maker with a strong interest in contemporary Afrikaans storytelling and character-driven work. She is the writer and co-performer of Harte-Bliksems and has a solid academic and practical background in drama and theatre arts. Her work frequently explores themes of identity, relationships, female experience and the impact of modern society on human connection.

Norman Doubell is an emerging actor with a strong physical and comedic performance style. In Harte-Bliksems, he portrays a wide range of characters with precision and energy. His work in this production was recognised with the Vryskitter Award for Best Emerging Artist (2025). Norman’s performance combines technical skill with instinctive comedic timing and emotional honesty.

DeBeer Cloete is the director of Harte-Bliksems and has an established reputation for his sensitive, performer-centred directing approach. His work prioritises safe creative spaces, clear storytelling and a balance between playfulness and structure. Under his direction, Harte-Bliksems developed into a polished, accessible and cohesive ensemble production.