Ronnie Quibell

(b. **/**/**** - d. 27/12/2011) Building contractor, theatre owner and theatre impressario.

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

He and his brother became building contractors, and later built cinemas and theatres on land they owned - such as the Luxurama (1963) and the Three Arts Theatre (1964). Under the name of Quibell Brothers they also brought numerous shows and performers to South Africa. For years Ronnie, the “active” producer, battled the restrictions of the apartheid laws to manoeuvre international musicians onto South African stages.

He presented a programme with Anna Russel and the German pianist Horst Jankowski in 1967. Vera Lynn returned to South Africa in 1967 for the Quibells with the comedian Tommy Trinder on the supporting bill. They brought Sidney James home to star in Wedding Fever at the Civic Theatre circa 1970. They also staged Don’t tell the Wife, with an entire London cast, headed by Jack Douglas circa 1970. Spike Milligan performed at the Colosseum for the Quibells in 1975. He did so again in 1979, once again at the Colosseum. He staged Carnival à la District Six, written and produced by David Bestman and Taliep Petersen, at the Civic Theatre and later at His Majesty's Theatre in 1980. He presented the comedian Shelley Berman, with Judy Page as a special artist at the Civic Theatre in 1981.

Sources

Tucker, 1997.

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