James Ngcobo

James Ngcobo (19**-) Actor, director.

Training
Joined and trained with NAPAC’s Loft Theatre Company, Durban in 1989, working with them for three years.

Career
He did wide ranging professional work for NAPAC, the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, the Market Theatre and the Baxter Theatre.

James has also worked in England for Birmingham Rep. Especially adept at comedy.

He took over from Malcolm Purkey as artistic director at the Market Theatre in 2013.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Among the plays he toured with are A Nativity, Horn of Sorrow, Three Musketeers, Moll Flanders, Flat Spin, Spring Awakening and Jesus Christ Superstar.

He played the role of Vuyo in Glassroots, 2000.

In 2005 he debuted as director with an adaptation of Es’kia Mphahlele’s short story, The Suitcase, starring Mbulelo Grootboom.

He directed his adaptation of journalist Fred Khumalo's autobiographical book (2006) Touch My Blood at the Market Theatre and National Arts Festival 2009. He directed Nongogo at the Laager, 2013.

Awards, etc
He has often been nominated for awards in this category and in 1997 won The Star Tonight! Award and a National Vita Award for his role as “Jacob” in La Cage aux Folles (The Civic Theatre).

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