Limpie Basson
Limpie Basson (1930-2008) Actor, director and designer.
Contents
Biography
Limpie lived in Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, for many years. He died in Stellenbsch in November 2008 aged 78.
Training
Studied at the University of Stellenbosch and was part of the first group of drama students in 1949.
1958-1960 Studies in London at the Stanislavski studio.
Career
Went to England to be a supply teacher at a secondary school in Hackney, London UK during the late 1950s. Returned to South Africa and joined youth drama NTO before being appointed as an actor for PACT in the 1962. He moved back to the Cape and was hired by CAPAB (1964-1967). He rejoined PACT, although not on a full-time basis, after having resigned from CAPAB in 1967. In 1970, he lectured at the University of Cape Town, and appeared in productions at Maynardville and The Space.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
He worked for CAPAB, Maynardville and The Space.
As director
1957: Die Eerste Oogopslag (B.A.T.)
1965: Die Patatta (CAPAB)
1971: A Cinderella for a Mad Hatter (Theatre for Youth/UCT Drama Department)
1971: He directed and led a group of professional actors, employed by the Department of Coloured Affairs, to perform prescribed works at “coloured” schools in the Cape.
1972: School Play (The Space)
1975: Die Laaste Middagmaal (The Space)
As writer
He wrote A Cinderella for a Mad Hatter (1971).
As actor
He appeared as 'Die sipier' in Die Heks (University of Stellenbosch, 1949), Die Eerste Oogopslag (B.A.T., 1957), Die Gebreekte Kruik (PACT, 1963), Lokval! (CAPAB, 1964), Rashomon (CAPAB, 1964), Maria Stuart (1965), Charley se Tante (CAPAB, 1965), King Lear (Maynardville, 1966), Anthony and Cleopatra (Maynardville, 1972), Othello Slegs Blankes (The Space, 1972), Thirteen Clocks (The Space, 1972), The Bear (The Space, 1974), Don't Walk About with Nothing On (The Space, 1974), Eskoriaal (The Space, 1974), Three's Company (The Space, 1974), My Broer (The Space, 1975), Skote! (Pieter-Dirk Uys, Jan Van Riebeeck H/S students, 1976), Husse met Lang Ore (CAPAB, 1989), Die Vonkel in Haar Oë! (CAPAB, 1989).
As a Film and TV actor he became well known in later years in such productions and series as Fiela se Kind , Arende, Verspeelde Lente, Tant Ralie se Losieshuis, Die Spaanse Vlieg and Manakwalanners.
As designer
He designed Maria Stuart (1965), Three's Company (1974).
As broadcaster
For years he was a radio announcer with Radio Goeie Hoop (Radio Good Hope) and performed in radio plays and did dubbing for radio and TV.
Awards, etc
He received an Artes Award for Fiela se Kind.
Sources
Astbury 1979.
Die Burger, 18 August 1986.
http://www.maynardville.co.za/www/archive-productions/productions_antony-&-cleopatra_72.php
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Geliefde-akteur-Limpie-Basson-sterf-20100617
Tribute by Niel le Roux published in Beeld, 18 November 2008.
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