Ronald Theys
Ronald Theys (?-2014). Opera singer.
Often billed as Ronnie Theys.
Contents
Biography
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
In 1975, Theys was part of the EOAN Group company that participated in the 1975 International Festival of Youth Orchestras and Performing Arts held in London and Aberdeen in August.
In 1980, he and Sidwill Hartman joined the opera choir of the Cape Performing Arts Board as the first Coloured singers for this (till then) completely White institution. By 2000, Theys was the company manager.
As actor
Theys appeared in over 300 professional opera productions, including: We'll Gather Lilacs (1978), The Orphans of Qumbu (CAPAB Opera, 1993), Enoch, Prophet of God (CAPAB Opera, 1995), Buchuland (State Theatre, 1998), Valley Song (Cape Town Opera, 2005), The Orphans of Qumbu (Cape Town Opera, 2007), Poet and Prophetess (Cape Town Opera, 2008).
As singer
Together with Italian Nicky Cencherle, German Bernd Ruckemesser, Theys formed the Three Tenors in the mid 1990s. They performed regularly around South Africa, including performances at the Sun City Super Bowl, the Grahamstown Festival, and at the V&A Waterfront and Artscape with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra.
Legacy
Theys's son, Nathan Theys, wrote a screenplay, Ronald, on his father's life and struggles. The screenplay was the winning pitch at the Cape Town International Film Market and Festival in 2018.
Sources
'Cape Town's Three Tenors in PE'. news24. 14 November 2000.
Andrew Robertson. 2018. 'Son celebrates father with lauded script'. IOL.
https://www.operabase.com/productions/poet-and-prophetess-42388/en
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