Diana Allen

ALLEN, Diana (19**- ) is a South African actress.

Biography

Diana grew up in Britain and, during the war, served with the WAAF in Egypt and Italy. After the war, she went to RADA to train for the theatre. In 1951 Miss Allen came to South Africa where she was immediately snapped up by Brian Brooke for his Cape Town company. She spent tiem as an air-hostess until she returned to South Africa to marry.

Training

Studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

Career

Among her professional engagements subsequent to her leaving RADA , was a six-month tour of Britain in Noël Coward's Fallen Angels. She also spent six months in repertory at Lichfield , and appeared in Terence Rattigan's famous Who is Sylvia? at London's Criterion Theatre. In 1951 she joined the Brian Brooke Company in Cape Town where she established a reputation as a glamorous leading lady, but decided to give it all up and become an air-hostess with BEA. After having returned to South Africa, Rosalie van der Gucht persuaded her to return to the stage in 1978.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Appearances in productions include: A Delicate Balance (Claire, 1978), Say Who You Are (Sarah, 1978-1979) and in Home (Marjorie, 1978), What the Butler Saw (1979), How the Other Half Loves (1980), The Shadow Box (1980), 84 Charing Cross Road (1981), Gigi (Aunt Alicia, 1982), Present Laughter (1987).

Sources

Sharp Festival of the Arts (Grahamstown) programme, 1978.

Limelight 1979/80.

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