INGRID 'N VLAM IN DIE SNEEU

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INGRID 'N VLAM IN DIE SNEEU

We attended the premiere of this beautiful adaptation of a tragic South African love story last night. A musical and poetic story revealed by the published collection of letters in Vlam in die Sneeu: Die liefdesbriewe tussen Jonker en Brink, love letters exchanged between Ingrid Jonker and Andre Brink and spanning the length of their relationship between 21 April 1963 and 27 April 1965. 

It was a passionate and volatile relationship and they loved each other fiercely.

3 months after writing her last letter to Andre, Ingrid committed suicide by walking into the freezing Atlantic Ocean in Three Anchor Bay and drowning.


I loved this production - a glimpse into the lives and love of two beloved South Africans. Lizelle Pike is beautiful as Ingrid. Ethereal, broken, fragile, giddy with happiness at times and deeply sad at others, overwhelmed by the love she feels for her daughter, Simone, lost, lonely, abandoned, deliriously in love, and eventually defeated. She conveys the essence of Ingrid perfectly - a literary icon with raw emotions, who loved fiercely. I love how light footed she is and the attention to detail - the barefoot girl, in the long red shirt. The blue coat. The yellow teddy bear. The waves crashing.

Poet and writer Jak J Brits weaves Ingrid's words into a powerful narrative enriched by original compositions and his adaptation allows her poetry to resonate with the modern audience.

The emotions of the piece are interwoven with original new music inspired by Jonker’s poetry. The songs are beautiful and fitting as musical director and pianist Chanie Jonker accompanies Lizelle on stage. It's haunting!

The direction by Nadia Beukes, Tiaan Kirsten-Lubbe, and Lian Sachse sees Lizelle Pike sometimes delicate and sometimes raw - no matter what, Ingrid's spirit and voice is always heard.

She was complex, passionate and deeply human. We feel all of her emotions, desires, doubt, and longing and witness her battles with the dark shadows of depression, the same shadows that took her mother.


Presented by Scenario Productions and Die Centurion Teater

Review by SamSays


https://youtube.com/shorts/KYGqP0Zr6Y4?si=SBBz5v0mj0hODIYk

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