The popular character Bruce Beyers from the golden era of Afrikaans television is set to make a return on stage in 2027. Elandré, a singer and songwriter, will take on the role of Bruce Beyers in "Agter elke man – die musiekblyspel", a brand-new production that will debut at the AfriForum Teater. Ticket sales for the production are set to open on Thursday, 1 October. Elandré follows in the footsteps of Steve Hofmeyr, who played the beloved character in the television series and film.
Elandré expressed his excitement about taking on the role, stating that he is aware of the nostalgia that the character brings to many people. He looks forward to bringing his own flair to the iconic role and making it come alive for a new generation on stage. The musical is based on a story that has become a special part of Afrikaans pop culture over the years. The production combines the beloved story with original music written by Johan Vorster and Jacomien de Wet of Inhoud Huis Musiek.
Amanda Strydom, one of South Africa's most celebrated and versatile artists, will play the role of Antie Stienie in the musical. With a career spanning over four decades, Strydom has distinguished herself as an award-winning singer, songwriter, cabaret artist, playwright, and actress. Her song "Ek loop die pad" has become a classic Afrikaans song, and her one-woman show "State of the Heart" has won several awards, including DALRO and Evening Post awards.
The musical's creators aimed to do justice to the beloved characters created by Frans Marx. Under the direction of Jannes Erasmus, the story of "Agter elke man" will be brought to life in a new way. Internationally acclaimed set designer Wilhelm Disbergen will transport audiences back to the 1980s with his masterful set design. The production is a collaboration between AfriForum Teater and Inhoud Huis Musiek, which have previously worked together on successful musical productions.
The production team is excited to bring the story of "Agter elke man" to the stage, citing the characters, humor, and world of the story as offering many possibilities for creating something special. Vorster and de Wet spent time in a remote cottage near Greyton writing the music and lyrics for the musical. They acknowledged the responsibility of doing justice to the beloved characters while bringing a new spin to the story.
Johan Vorster and Jacomien de Wet of Inhoud Huis Musiek wrote the original music for the musical. De Wet expressed her excitement about the collaboration with AfriForum Teater and the opportunity to work on another well-known South African film or television production. The production follows the success of previous collaborations between AfriForum Teater and Inhoud Huis Musiek, including "Die Gelofte", "Die Kaplyn", and "Semi-Soet – die musiekblyspel".
Ticket sales for "Agter elke man – die musiekblyspel" will open on 1 October 2026. The musical is set to debut at the AfriForum Teater in 2027, with Elandré and Amanda Strydom leading the cast. The production promises to bring a new spin to a beloved story while paying homage to its iconic characters and nostalgic value.
Key points
- Elandré will play Bruce Beyers in the new musical "Agter elke man" at the AfriForum Teater in 2027.
