Kimberley, South Africa

‘More photos from the Fiddler production from Linda Capon on the Kimberley Shul Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206862797118008&set=pcb.821789234583543&type=3&theater

Delia Benn writes:

 

When I was offered a teaching job at Kimberley Boys’ High school in 1979, I accepted immediately as I was drawn to the talented colleagues I would be working with, especially Johann Swart, whom I’d known for a  while. During the 11 years that I was part of the KHS family, I served as head of English, head of Maths and on the school leadership team where I was responsible for the Cultural Portfolio. Those were memorable years!

Johann Swart designed and directed many hit musicals for the school and for Kimberley and, as I’ve always had a love of theatre, it did not take me long to be involved. Johann was very impressed with the work done by the UJW to assist the disadvantaged in Kimberley and offered to produce Fiddler on the Roof as a fundraiser for the UJW. Wow! There were 2 conditions though: the community had to be involved and all the men had to grow beards! 

By this time, I was heavily involved in Johann’s drama productions, so I automatically became Production Co-ordinator and assistant Director. Johann was often a guest in my house and very familiar with Jewish tradition and its rituals. He wanted the show to be as authentic as possible, so he borrowed my ‘Joy of Yiddish’ and often sprinkled his comments with Yiddish expressions. The cast loved it and it certainly added an extra warmth.

 

Doreen Cohen had taken over the chair again in July 82 and was thrilled with the offer.  She immediately became the Production Organiser and was inspirational in this regard, especially as there were 110 people involved. The branch knew it was a huge undertaking and its members enthusiastically came on board.

Sharon Geller, another active lady on the UJW Executive who had studied Dress Design both in South Africa and in Israel worked with Johan on the costume design.  She was assisted in making the costumes by Joyce Sack, Cecile Jawno, Shirley Allen and others.

Michael Skipper, a graduate of Rhodes University, who became Head of Music at KHS when he completed his army service, was the Conductor and Musical Director. He was assisted by William Cawood, at that time completing his army service, who also served as rehearsal pianist. This was necessary because Mike had a significant role on stage as well as Fyedka, the Russian suitor of Chava.

Auditions for Johann’s shows were always well attended and this was no exception. Kimberley already had an established drama tradition and many talented actors and singers to draw from, but Johann wanted as many from the Jewish Community as possible. Beryl Capon and Hillary Waldman, landed the parts of Yente the Matchmaker and Golde, Tevye’s wife. My husband, Bobby Benn, got the part of Mordcha, the Innkeeper and my three children had small parts, Lara and Justine as daughters and our son Arnie as one of Mordcha’s sons. He also became quite skilled at the bottle dance.

Other members of the cast from the community included: Neville Levin, Morris Klevansky, Colin Kenny, Rhona Bayer, Farrel Cohen, Michael Waldman, Louis Benjamin, Sue Levin, Ida Selmann, Sharla Cohen, Shelley Cohen, Jenny Haberfeld, Daphne Greenblatt and Brandon Haberfeld. Backstage workers were also well represented by Ivan Waldman, David Allen, Susan Bayer and June Haberfeld. 

Johann designed and painted the sets which were built by Barry Katz and assembled on stage by Ivor Haberfeld, David Allen and Ivan Waldman, assisted by members of the cast and backstage crew.

Additional members of the UJW assisted with the production and these included Joan Rauff, Myra Goldenbaum and Shirley Katz. In all, the people involved totalled 110 people, of which at least 37 were from our jewish community.! 

The cast worked very hard. Rehearsals were held regularly during the week and week-ends for the best part of nine months. We were like a family, all involved in this powerful experience together. As it got closer to opening, the excitement mounted, not only amongst those of us involved, but also in the city. And then, to crown it all, a film company arrived in Kimberley to film “King of Diamonds”, for TV3. They decided to film scenes from our show to appear on the TV magazine programme, Portfolio! 

The show was a resounding success. People travelled to Kimberley to see it. We had standing ovations every night and tickets for the two weeks sold out very quickly.  It was a unique time in which ties between the Jewish and non-Jewish community were strengthened as each learned to appreciate the strengths of the other. My family all agree that it was a privilege to be part of something so uplifting. 

Delia Benn, Baltimore June 2020.

Excerpts from reviews:

“The Union of Jewish Women, the cast and the many others involved, are to be congratulated on the marvellous production. It was a credit to Kimberley.”

“Johann Swart has rightly praised the teamwork put into the production by the Union of Jewish Women, and we hope that this will not be their last joint venture.”

“I would like to congratulate the Union of Jewish Women for staging “Fiddler on the Roof” and I take my hat off to these women for the wonderful work they do for charity, regardless of race, colour or creed.”

Facts and notes

Production Organizer, Doreen Cohen

Production Co-ordinator and Assistant Director, Delia Benn  

Conductor and Musical Director, Michael Skipper  

Assistant Musical Director, William Cawood  

Choreography, Tommy van Niekerk  

Costumes designed by Sharon Geller and Johann Swart, 

Set designed by Johann Swart 

lighting designed by Johann Swart and Brian Nel

Fiddler on the Roof, Kimberley Theatre, March 1983

Presented by the Kimberley Union of Jewish Women