Benjy Francis - Revision history

Satj: /* Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance */

2024-01-06T18:36:50Z

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

Miriamt at 15:20, 30 September 2022

2022-09-30T15:20:58Z

Miriamt: /* Career */

2017-11-08T15:31:02Z

Career

Miriamt: /* Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance */

2017-11-06T09:23:00Z

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

Miriamt at 09:22, 6 November 2017

2017-11-06T09:22:29Z

Miriamt: /* Sources */

2017-11-06T09:19:52Z

Sources

Miriamt: /* Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance */

2017-11-06T09:05:39Z

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

Miriamt at 09:00, 6 November 2017

2017-11-06T09:00:47Z

Miriamt: /* Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance */

2017-11-06T08:58:21Z

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

Miriamt at 08:53, 6 November 2017

2017-11-06T08:53:46Z

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 ==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
-He directed and played "Morrie" in ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (1976), ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' with an all black cast at the same venue in 1976, ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]''. He directed the show ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'', with music by Gary William Friedman and lyrics by Will Holt which was staged by [[The Company]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1977. It starred [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Nomsa Nene]], [[Barrie Shah]] and [[Jonathan Taylor]]. He directed ''[[Night of the Long Wake]]'', the opening production of The [[Dhlomo Theatre]] on 21 March 1983.
+He directed and played "Morrie" in ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (1976), ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' with an all black cast at the same venue in 1976, ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]''. He directed the show ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'', with music by Gary William Friedman and lyrics by Will Holt which was staged by [[The Company]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1977. It starred [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Nomsa Nene]], [[Barrie Shah]] and [[Jonathan Taylor]]. He directed ''[[Night of the Long Wake]]'', the opening production of The [[Dhlomo Theatre]] on 21 March 1983. Followed by ''[[The Trial of Dedan Kimathi]]'',
 Founded [[Federated Union of Black Artists]] in 1978 and formed the [[Afrika Cultural Centre]].

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 === Training ===
-Studied at the University of Durban-Westville.
+Studied at the University of Durban-Westville. He stuied for two years at the Drama Centre in London.
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
-He directed ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (1976), ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' with an all black cast at the same venue in 1976, ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]''. He directed the show ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'', with music by Gary William Friedman and lyrics by Will Holt which was staged by [[The Company]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1977. It starred [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Nomsa Nene]], [[Barrie Shah]] and [[Jonathan Taylor]]. He directed ''[[Night of the Long Wake]]'', the opening production of The [[Dhlomo Theatre]] on 21 March 1983.
+He directed and played "Morrie" in ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (1976), ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' with an all black cast at the same venue in 1976, ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]''. He directed the show ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'', with music by Gary William Friedman and lyrics by Will Holt which was staged by [[The Company]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1977. It starred [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Nomsa Nene]], [[Barrie Shah]] and [[Jonathan Taylor]]. He directed ''[[Night of the Long Wake]]'', the opening production of The [[Dhlomo Theatre]] on 21 March 1983.
 Founded [[Federated Union of Black Artists]] in 1978 and formed the [[Afrika Cultural Centre]].
 == Awards, etc ==
+Voted "Best actor" by Natal critics for his role as Morrie in ''[[The Blood Knot]]''.
 == Sources ==
@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 Various entries in the [[NELM]] catalogue.
 Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 === Career ===
-One of the founding members of [[TECON]] in 1969, working with them to till the mid 1970s. Working with TECON towards the end of its existance, he also developed productions with black casts in Soweto, including a revival of [[Athol Fugard|Fugard]]’s ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (also playing at [[Upstairs at the Market]], 1976) and a workshopped version of Beckett’s ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' (with [[James Mthoba]] and [[Sam Williams]], playing in Durban, Soweto and [[Upstairs at the Market]] during 1976.) He then joined [[Federated Union of Black Artists]] ([[FUBA]]) in Johannesburg, and at one time was second in command of the organisation. Directed a number of works for them, including [[Zakes Mda|Mda]]’s ''[[Dead End]]'' and ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]'' (1978/9?*), ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'' ([[Market Theatre]], 1977.
+One of the founding members of [[TECON]] in 1969, working with them till the mid 1970s. Working with TECON towards the end of its existance, he also developed productions with black casts in Soweto, including a revival of [[Athol Fugard|Fugard]]’s ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (also playing at [[Upstairs at the Market]], 1976) and a workshopped version of Beckett’s ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' (with [[James Mthoba]] and [[Sam Williams]], playing in Durban, Soweto and [[Upstairs at the Market]] during 1976.) He then joined [[Federated Union of Black Artists]] ([[FUBA]]) in Johannesburg, and at one time was second in command of the organisation. Directed a number of works for them, including [[Zakes Mda|Mda]]’s ''[[Dead End]]'' and ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]'' (1978/9?*), ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'' ([[Market Theatre]], 1977.
 ==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
-He directed ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (1976), ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' with an all black cast at the same venue in 1976, ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]''. He directed the show ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'', with music by [[Gary William Friedman]] and lyrics by [[Will Holt]] which was staged by [[The Company]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1977. It starred [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Nomsa Nene]], [[Barrie Shah]] and [[Jonathan Taylor]]. He directed ''[[Night of the Long Wake]]'', the opening production of The [[Dhlomo Theatre]] on 21 March 1983.
+He directed ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (1976), ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' with an all black cast at the same venue in 1976, ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]''. He directed the show ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'', with music by Gary William Friedman and lyrics by Will Holt which was staged by [[The Company]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1977. It starred [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Nomsa Nene]], [[Barrie Shah]] and [[Jonathan Taylor]]. He directed ''[[Night of the Long Wake]]'', the opening production of The [[Dhlomo Theatre]] on 21 March 1983.
 Founded [[Federated Union of Black Artists]] in 1978 and formed the [[Afrika Cultural Centre]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:22, 6 November 2017
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	=== Career ===		=== Career ===
−	One of the founding members of [[TECON]] in 1969, working with them to till the mid 1970s. Working with TECON towards the end of its existance, he also developed productions with black casts in Soweto, including a revival of [[Athol Fugard\|Fugard]]’s ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (also playing at [[Upstairs at the Market]], 1976) and a workshopped version of Beckett’s ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' (with [[James Mthoba]] and [[Sam Williams]], playing in Durban, Soweto and [[Upstairs at the Market]] during 1976.) He then joined [[Federated Union of Black Artists]] ([[FUBA]]) in Johannesburg, and at one time was second in command of the organisation. Directed a number of works for them, including [[Zakes Mda\|Mda]]’s ''[[Dead End]]'' and ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]'' (1978/9?), ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'' ([[Market Theatre]], 198), *** In 198* founded the [[Dhlomo Theatre]] and set up and headed the Afrika Cultural Centre in ***.	+	One of the founding members of [[TECON]] in 1969, working with them to till the mid 1970s. Working with TECON towards the end of its existance, he also developed productions with black casts in Soweto, including a revival of [[Athol Fugard\|Fugard]]’s ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (also playing at [[Upstairs at the Market]], 1976) and a workshopped version of Beckett’s ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' (with [[James Mthoba]] and [[Sam Williams]], playing in Durban, Soweto and [[Upstairs at the Market]] during 1976.) He then joined [[Federated Union of Black Artists]] ([[FUBA]]) in Johannesburg, and at one time was second in command of the organisation. Directed a number of works for them, including [[Zakes Mda\|Mda]]’s ''[[Dead End]]'' and ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]'' (1978/9?*), ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'' ([[Market Theatre]], 1977.
		+
		+	In 1983 founded the [[Dhlomo Theatre]] and set up and headed the [[Afrika Cultural Centre]].

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 == Sources ==
-[[ESAT Bibliography Tra-Tz|Tucker]], 1997. 335, 344.
+[[ESAT Bibliography Tra-Tz|Tucker]], 1997. pp 335, 344.
 Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]

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 ==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
-He directed ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (1976), ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' with an all black cast at the same venue in 1976, ''[[Company]]'' (1977), ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]''.
+He directed ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (1976), ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' with an all black cast at the same venue in 1976, ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]''. He directed the show ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'', with music by [[Gary William Friedman]] and lyrics by [[Will Holt]] which was staged by [[The Company]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1977. It starred [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Nomsa Nene]], [[Barrie Shah]] and [[Jonathan Taylor]]. He directed ''[[Night of the Long Wake]]'', the opening production of The [[Dhlomo Theatre]] on 21 March 1983.
-[[Ken Leach]] directed his ''[[Conspiracy]]'', starring [[Patrick Mynhardt]] for [[PACT]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]] in 1976. He directed the show ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'', with music by [[Gary William Friedman]] and lyrics by [[Will Holt]] which was staged by [[The Company]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1977. It starred [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Nomsa Nene]], [[Barrie Shah]] and [[Jonathan Taylor]].
+[[Ken Leach]] directed his ''[[Conspiracy]]'', starring [[Patrick Mynhardt]] for [[PACT]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]] in 1976.
 Founded [[Federated Union of Black Artists]] in 1978 and formed the [[Afrika Cultural Centre]].

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-FRANCIS, Benji/Benjy. (19**-) Director and arts activist.  Born in Durban (*?), studied at the University of Durban-Westville. One of the founding members of [[TECON]] in 1969, working with them to till the mid 1970s. Working with TECON towards the end of its existance, he also developed productions with black casts in Soweto, including a revival of [[Athol Fugard|Fugard]]’s ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' (also playing at [[Upstairs at the Market]], 1976) and a workshopped version of Beckett’s ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' (with [[James Mthoba]] and [[Sam Williams]], playing in Durban, Soweto and [[Upstairs at the Market]] during 1976.) He then joined [[Federated Union of Black Artists]] ([[FUBA]]) in Johannesburg, and at one time was second in command of the organisation. Directed a number of works for them, including [[Zakes Mda|Mda]]’s ''[[Dead End]]'' and ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]'' (1978/9?*), ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'' ([[Market Theatre]], 198*), *** In 198* founded the [[Dhlomo Theatre]] and set up and headed the Afrika Cultural Centre in ***.
+[[Benjy Francis]]. (19**-) Actor, director and arts activist.
-FRANCIS, Benjy. Directed and starred in [[Athol Fugard|Fugard]]’s ''[[The Blood Knot]]'' together with [[Fats Bookholane]] at [[Upstairs at the Market]] in 1976. Francis also directed [[Waiting for Godot]] with an all black cast at the same venue in 1976. [[Ken Leach]] directed his ''[[Conspiracy]]'', starring [[Patrick Mynhardt]] for [[PACT]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]] in 1976. He directed the show ''[[The Me Nobody Knows]]'', with music by [[Gary William Friedman]] and lyrics by [[Will Holt]] which was staged by [[The Company]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in 1977. It starred [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Nomsa Nene]], [[Barrie Shah]] and [[Jonathan Taylor]].  (See Schwartz, 1988; Tucker, 1997, Kruger, 1999**)
+== Biography ==
-FRANCIS, Benjy, The [[Dhlomo Theatre]] opened 21 March 1983 with ''[[Night of the Long Wake]]'' by [[Dukuza Ka Macu]].  Benjy Francis (dir). Takes place 16 June, 1976 but is about the actions & reactions of  a group of people. [[Owen Sejake]], [[Mavuso Tshabalala]], [[Nandi Nyembe]], [[Dambisa Kente]], [[Fats Bookholane]], [[Aubrey Sekese]].
+=== Youth ===
-Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African
+=== Training ===
-Theatre Personalities]]
+Studied at the University of Durban-Westville.
 Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
 Return to [[Main Page]]