View source for Ben Voss

'''Benjamin (Ben) Voss''' (1973- ) is a Zimbabwe-born South African comedian, actor and playwright.

== Biography ==
Born in Southern Rhodesia (later Zimbabwe). Matriculated at Uthongathi School, KwaZulu-Natal, in 1990. Went on to complete an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and a post-graduate degree in Human Resources at the University of Natal. After a gap year in South East Asia returned to Durban to take up a post as an engineer in the paper industry. Became disillusioned with his engineering career and in January 1997, with no formal training in the performing arts, started a career in acting.

== Training ==

== Career ==
After working for some years as an engineer, started a career in performing arts in 1997.

==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
Set up a production company, [[Mamba Productions]] and together with [[John van de Ruit]] produced and performed the comedy skit shows ''[[Green Mamba]]'' and ''[[Black Mamba]]''. In ''[[Spud - the Movie]]'', Voss plays Mr Lily, Spud's art teacher and rugby coach. In addition to his contributions to the South African comedy circuit, he is also an accomplished actor and script-writer with particular accolades for his performances in Shakespeare's ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' in 2001 and the title role in ''[[Macbeth]]'' in 2002.

Best known for his portrayal of the fictional South African business woman, [[Beauty Ramapelepele]]. He uses the Ramapelepele alter-ego to deliver satirical social commentary on life in post-apartheid South Africa. His shows, ''[[Beauty and the B.E.E.]]'' and ''[[Bend it like Beauty]]'' have played in South Africa and abroad. Voss has also shared the stage with [[Pieter-Dirk Uys]]'s [[Evita]].

== Awards, etc ==



== Sources ==
''Wikipedia'' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Voss]

Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]]

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