Afrikaans Debut for OOM SCHALK LOURENS SE MAMPOERSTORIES at Aardklop

Seasoned actor Paul Lückhoff - currently seen on television screens as Oom Wimpie in BINNELAND - is South Africa's new Oom Schalk Lourens, Herman Charles Bosman's iconic narrator of his immortal stories of the Marico district. OOM SCHALK LOURENS SE MAMPOERSTORIES recently had its premiere at this year's Clover Aardklop National Arts Festival, with Lückhoff being directed by Frans Swart.

Herman Charles Bosman's Oom Schalk Lourens has, over the years, been a beloved character on South African stages. Patrick Mynhardt played Oom Schalk Lourens on stage for years, while the character and his stories were reinvented by Tara Notcutt, Mathew Lewis and Andrew Laubscher in the ground-breaking MAFEKING ROAD. David Muller donned the mantle of the character in OOM SCHALK: FROM THE HEART, while BOSMAN'S PATRIOTS has toured the country with its multi-media journey into the heart of the character and his creator. But in all of these adaptations, Oom Schalk has spoken English and it is in OOM SCHALK LOURENS SE MAMPOERSTORIES that the character speaks in Afrikaans for the first time in history.

On his translation and adaptation of the material, director Swart says: "I worked with Patrick Mynhardt for years and Oom Schalk Lourens has always fascinated me. Oom Schalk Lourens is a master storyteller, but also a person who loves the Great Marico and its people. He is also very fond of Mampoer and women. Herman Charles Bosman outlined his character so well and his stories are so well written that you feel like you're in the Groot Marico. Add the amazing talent of Paul Lückhoff and you have a hit production. Paul understands the art of storytelling and he has undergone a transformation in the past few weeks, and become Oom Schalk Lourens!"

Audiences at Aardklop are currently enjoying well-known stories like "Willem Prinsloo's Peach Brandy" and "The Bekkersdal Marathon" as well as lesser-known gems like "The Love Potion" and "The Music Maker". OOM SCHALK LOURENS SE MAMPOERSTORIES will be performed at the Totius Hall at the Aardklop National Arts Festival until 11 October. Bookings can be made through Computicket.

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