Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck en Deon van Zyl (foto: Jaco Marais)
This festive season, the award-winning children’s classic Liewe Heksie vang vis, performed in Afrikaans by Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck, flies into The Baxter Golden Arrow Studio for a limited season from 13 to 21 December 2023 at 10:00 and 12:00 daily from Mondays to Saturdays.
Based on the stories by the well-known writer and radio and television personality Verna Vels, the production won the Best Children’s Production Kanna award at the 2023 KKNK Festival in Oudtshoorn and is perfect entertainment for the whole family. The judges praised it for the way the cast engages with young audiences while telling the story. It was nominated for a Fleur du Cap award.
Everyone’s beloved character, Liewe Heksie, uses her broom as a fishing rod, but the fish just won’t bite. The nasty Yellow Witch offers to help and gets Levinia (Heksie) into trouble with King Rosekrans. She urgently solicits the help of her Blommeland friends. This South African classic children’s tale comes to life with lots of audience participation and fast action. Described as the ultimate Heksie, Meyer-Rödenbeck is joined on stage by the exceptionally talented Deon van Zyl, who plays the multiple roles of Karel Kat, the Geelheks (Yellow Witch) and Koning Rosekrans.
Author Verna Vels was responsible for programmes concerning youth and art. She was closely involved in the planning of programming for the establishment of the Afrikaans television service. Her most famous work, Liewe Heksie, was originally written for radio and was later published and edited for television.
Meyer-Rödenbeck, who wrote the text and directs the show, has created a faithful following amongst child audiences over the years. By bringing the production to The Baxter, the popular actress has come full circle at the theatre.
“My first professional role was when, as a third-year student at university in 1990, I played the role of Gretel in Story Spinning Theatre’s Hansel and Gretel at The Baxter Theatre,” says Meyer-Rödenbeck. “After that came roles such as Baby Bear in Goldilocks and the Three Bears and the Doormouse in Alice in Xmas Wonderland. Now, 30 years later, I am excited to be back on The Baxter stage.”
The production performed to great success at, amongst others, the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, the Suidoosterfees, Die Boer Theatre in Durbanville and the 2023 Kalfiefees. Audiences have raved, with comments such as, “I think I laughed more than all the children in the hall … absolutely brilliant … your improvisation skills and ability to draw the audience into participation deserves extra mention!” One audience member wrote, “The two of you are unbelievable. The way you make the children part of the story was special.” Another said, “Liewe Heksie, masterly performed by Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck, opens a door to world of wonderment. A world of stories and imagination where children and adults can learn and remember to dream and play. Pure magic.”
Liewe Heksie vang vis runs at The Baxter Golden Arrow Studio for a limited season, from 13 to 21 December at 10:00 and 12:00. Ticket prices are R120 and booking is now open at Webtickets online (www.webtickets.co.za) or at Pick n Pay stores. Block bookings of 10 or more are R100 or book for the 10:00 performance on Wednesday 13 December and pay just R80.