Proesstraat (Proes Street) is an Afrikaans Television-Show which airs on kykNet based on the German improvisational comedy show Schillerstrasse. It is recorded without a script, in front of a live audience and broadcast unedited to a large extent.
Idea and show structure The setting of the show is the living room of the main actor Waldemar Schultz who lives on the real street "Proesstraat" in Pretoria, South Africa. The main character is regularly visited by friends and relatives. The participants only know the topic of the episode in advance. The whole plot has to be improvised comically. The cast receive directions from the Regisseur (Director/Presenter) on their ear-pieces, and have to follow the cues, e.g. "Eloise: Tell the others you're pregnant!".
The show mostly airs unedited and things that go wrong are not removed, either.
The original German show was created by Maike Tatzig who is also the show's executive producer. Debuting on Germany's Sat.1, ”Schiller Street” (created and produced by Hurricane) has been one of the most innovative and successful comedy formats in the recent years. The concept has already won various national and international TV prizes such as the Rose d’Or Press Prize 2005. SevenOne International, the ProSiebenSat.1 Group's worldwide programming sales company has sold the format to numerous countries, including France, Italy, Russia, Finland, Norway and Turkey. The Italian adaptation “Buona la Prima” won the national “Telegrolle 2008” and “Gran Premio della Fiction Italiana '08” for best sitcom.
Main cast The main cast include Waldemar Schultz, Pierre Breytenbach, Melt Sieberhagen, Wikus du Toit, Eloise Cupido, Esther von Waltsleben and Martelize Kolver. Eloise Cupido did not return on the 2nd season. Waldemar Schultz, Esther von Waltsleben and Martelize Kolver did not return for the 3rd season. New cast members for the third season included Pierre van Heerden, Ilne Fourie, Desire Gardner, Mortimer Williams and Cindy Swanepoel.
Celebrity Guests They interchange with dozens of other guests and Afrikaans celebrities including June van Mersh, Emo Adams, Tammy-Ann Fortuin, Sean Else, Wicus van der Merwe, Joey Rasdien, Elize Cawood, Tobie Cronje, Karen Wessels, Dowwe Dolla, Marion Holm, Neels van Jaarsveld, Casper de Vries, Shaleen Surtie-Richards and Pedro Kruger. Guests for season 2 included Hannes Muller, Hannah Grobler, Hannon Bothma, Steve Hofmeyr, Louw Venter, Jannie Moolman, Gigi Strydom and Snotkop. Guests for season 3 included Ben Kruger, Hannon Bothma, Sylvaine Strike and Toks van der Linde. Guests for season 4 included Neels van Jaarsveld, Snotkop, Heinz Winckler, Riaan Cruywagen, Anrich Herbst and Gys de Villiers.
Production Production on Season 1 started on 7 January 2010 and all 26 episodes were completed by 23 January 2010, shot in front of a live audience at University of Johannesburg's theatre. Production on Season 2 started on 2 December 2010 and by 22 December 2010 30 new episodes were shot in front of a live audience at University of Johannesburg's theater. kykNet announced that all tickets to attend the filming of Season 2 were available from Computicket. Production on Season 3 started on 6 January 2013 and all 26 episodes were completed by 2 February 2013, shot in front of a live audience at University of Johannesburg's theatre. Production on Season 4 started on 30 Oktober 2014 and all 26 episodes were completed by 15 November 2014, shot in front of a live audience at University of Johannesburg's theatre.
Awards Proesstraat was nominated for 2 Golden Horn (South African Film and Television Awards) or SAFTAS for Season 1 in the categories Best Ensemble Cast in a Comedy as well as a nomination for Wikus du Toit as Best Actor in a Comedy. The production won the SAFTA for Best Comedy - Ensemble Cast in 2011 for Season 1. Season 2 received 3 SAFTA nomination and won 2 awards; Best Comedy Writing Team and Best Director for Harald Richter.
Season 1 (a) Episodes Ep.TitleStory lineActorsCelebrity GuestTx Date1 Die nuwe Woonstel (Welkom in Proesstraat) – The New Flat (Welcome to Proes Street) Waldi, who has just been divorced from his ex-wife Karen, is moving into his new rental apartment in Proes Street, Pretoria. His friends are arriving to help him. Waldi Schultz, Martelize Kolver, Pierre Breytenbach, Wikus du Toit June van Merch as the letting-agent 22 January 20102 Die DVD-aand - The DVD-evening Waldi is having a DVD evening for some of his friends. Waldi Schultz, Eloise Cupido, Esther von Waltsleben, Pierre Breytenbach, Melt Sieberhagen Emo Adams as the Pizza Delivery Guy 29 January 20103 Die Werksonderhoud - The Job Interview Waldi helps Wikus to prepare for a job interview at the biggest DVD-store in Pretoria. Wikus is very nervous, but his friends are there to help. Waldi Schultz, Esther von Waltsleben, Pierre Breytenbach, Wikus du Toit None 5 February 20104 Fiksheidskoors - Fitness Fever Waldi wants to get fit. He bought an all-in-one fitness centre and wants to test it out on his friends. Waldi Schultz, Pierre Breytenbach, Melt Sieberhagen and Martelize Kolver Sean Else as the fitness fanatic. 12 February 20105 Die Huismaat - The House MateAn old school friend was kick out of his house by his girl friend and is moving in with Waldi. Will they get along? Waldi Schultz, Wikus du Toit, Esther von Waltsleben and Eloise Cupido Wicus van der Merwe as the unexpected house guest. 19 February 20106 Die Moederbesoek - Mother's VisitWaldi's mother is visiting. Will she get along with his friends? Waldi Schultz, Esther von Waltsleben, Melt Sieberhagen and Eloise Cupido Elize Cawood as the Waldi's mother. 26 February 20107 Platekontrak - The Record DealEsther phoned with big news. She is coming over to discuss her future with everyone. Waldi Schultz, Wikus du Toit, Esther von Waltsleben and Pierre Breytenbach None 5 March 20108 Die Nuwe Besigheid - The New BusinessMelt urgently wants to speak to Waldi about a new business venture. Waldi Schultz, Wikus du Toit, Melt Sieberhagen and Eloise Cupido None 12 March 20109 Die Teaterstuk - The PlayWaldi got the lead in a new play staged at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees. His friends are reading in the other parts. Waldi Schultz, Wikus du Toit, Melt Sieberhagen and Martelize Kolver None 19 March 201010 Die Swangerskap - The PregnancyEsther is waiting for the results of a pregnancy test. She's crying on Waldi's shoulder. The friends are there to help.... Waldi Schultz, Pierre Breytenbach, Melt Sieberhagen and Esther von Waltsleben None 26 March 201011 Die Eks - The ExWaldi's ex-wife, Karen, has phoned. She is missing some of her grandmother's silverware since Waldi has moved out. Waldemar Schultz, Wikus du Toit, Eloise Cupido & Martelize Kolver Karen Wessels as Waldi's ex-wife 2 April 201012 Wikus se Meisie - Wikus' GirlfriendEveryone is optimistically suspicious. Wikus has a new girl in his life. He is coming over to introduce her. What will happen? Waldi Schultz, Wikus du Toit, Melt Sieberhagen and Martelize Kolver Tammy-Ann Fortuin as Wikus' Girlfriend 9 April 201013 Stydende Henne - Feuding FemalesMartelize and Eloise are fighting over a man. They haven't spoken for 5 days. Waldi is trying to resolve it. Waldi Schultz, Martelize Kolver and Eloise Cupido Pedro Kruger as the boyfriend 16 April 201014 Die Tema Partytjie - The Theme PartyEveryone is preparing to go to a theme party. Waldi Schultz, Pierre Breytenbach, Wikus du Toit and Melt Sieberhagen Johrne Van Huyssteen as the uninvited guest 23 April 201015 Die Spook - The GhostWaldi hears suspicious noises in his home. Cupboards are opening and doors slamming. He calls his friends to investigate. Waldi Schultz, Eloise Kupido, Wikus du Toit and Esther von Waltsleben None 30 April 2010
Season 1 (b) Episodes Ep.TitleStory lineActorsCelebrity GuestTx Date16Sokker-koors - Soccer FeverWaldi made his guest bedroom available to a Soccer World Cup visitor. His friends are coming over to meet the foreigner.Waldi Schultz, Melt Sieberhagen and Eloise Cupido Casper de Vries as the World Cup visitor from the Netherlands7 August 201017Boer soek 'n Vrou - Farmer wants a WifeWaldi wants to enter a very popular TV-dating program. His friends are helping him to write an introduction letter.Waldi Schultz, Pierre Breytenbach, Wikus du Toit and Martelize Kolver none14 August 201018Die Blinde Afspraak - The Blind DateWaldi is going on a Blind Date and the friends are coming over to meet her.Waldi Schultz, Melt Sieberhagen, Eloise Cupido and Martelize Kolver Dowwe Dolla as the Blind Date21 August 201019Die Speletjies Aand - The games EveningWaldi decided that life isn't just about work and he invites his friends over for a games evening.Waldi Schultz, Pierre Breytenbach, Wikus du Toit and Martelize Kolver none28 August 201020Die Rugbywedstryd - The Rugby MatchThere's a big rugby match on television tonight and Waldi has invited a few of his friends over to watxch the game.Waldi Schultz, Pierre Breytenbach, Melt Sieberhagen and Esther von Waltsleben Kobus Wiese as the neighbour4 September 201021Vlugangs - Fear of FlyingWaldi has a massive panic attack. He has to urgently fly to Cape Town. His friends are coming over to soothe him.Waldi Schultz, Pierre Breytenbach, Esther von Waltsleben and Eloise Cupido Tobie Cronjé as the hypnotist11 September 201022Huisoppas - House SittingWaldi went to visit his Mom and has asked his friends to look after his apartment. Was that such a good idea?Pierre Breytenbach, Melt Sieberhagen and Wikus du Toitnone18 September 201023'n Muis in die Huis - A Mouse in the HouseWaldi has a mouse in his house and hired a pest controller. His friend become part of the extermination!Waldi Schultz, Esther von Waltsleben. Martelize Kolver and Wikus du ToitNeels van Jaarsveld as the Pest Controller25 September 201024Familie Troue - Family WeddingMartelize's sister is attending a family wedding in Pretoria and she has asked Waldi if her sister may stay over, as her apartment is already full of other family members.Waldi Schultz, Esther von Waltsleben and Martelize Kolver.Marion Holm as the Sister2 October 201025Die Kampekspidisie - The Camping TripWaldi and his friends are getting ready for a camping trip.Waldemar Schultz, Pierre Breytenbach, Wikus du Toit and Melt Sieberhagen None9 October 201026Vriende in Nood - Friends in NeedEloise's Mom is visiting and they don't have water. They are coming over to bath at Waldi's apartment.Waldemar Schultz, Eloise Cupido, Pierre Breytenbach and Ester von Waltsleben.Shaleen Surtie-Richards as Eloise's mother16 October 2010
Season 2 (a) episodes