Peter Prowse - Revision history

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Miriamt: Created page with "PROWSE, Peter (1924-1976) Actor, director, writer == Biography == Born in Durban, South Africa. He died in Durban on 15 December 1976 at the age of 52. == Training == ==..."

2014-08-18T06:00:49Z

Created page with "PROWSE, Peter (1924-1976) Actor, director, writer == Biography == Born in Durban, South Africa. He died in Durban on 15 December 1976 at the age of 52. == Training == ==..."

New page

PROWSE, Peter (1924-1976) Actor, director, writer

== Biography ==
Born in Durban, South Africa. He died in Durban on 15 December 1976 at the age of 52.

== Training ==

== Career ==
He worked in London for much of his career, known for Becket (1964), The Christine Keeler Story (1963) and Sword of Lancelot (1963).

==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
He wrote, directed and played the lead in the play ''[[The Boss Woman]]'' to great acclaim in London. He played in ''[[Diary of a Madman]]'' in Durban in 1968. He wrote, produced and directed the film ''[[Tokoloshe]]''.

== Awards, etc ==
He won the Steart Leith trophy for best performance in South Africa (1968).

== Sources ==
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0699122/bio

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0699122/

''Diary of a Madman'' programme, 1968.

Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]]

== Return to ==

Return to [[ESAT Personalities P]]

Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]]

Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]

Return to [[Main Page]]

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 Peter John Prowse was born in Durban, the son of Harry Prowse, an ex-Indian Army officer, and his wife Constance Davies.  At some stage the family moved to England and his first verified performance was when, in a programme presented by the Keyberry (Newton Abbot) Sunday Scholars at the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society, Master Peter Prowse gave the opening and closing recitations.  After World War II he embarked upon a professional acting career, appearing in everything from the children’s play ''Where the Rainbow Ends'', in which he played St. George, and ''Charley's Aunt'', to Shaw’s ''Androcles and the Lion'' and Sheriff’s ''The Long Sunset'', both at the Mermaid Theatre (1961).  He also appeared in a number of films and television plays, though seldom in major roles.  These included parts in ''The Battle of the River Plate'' (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger/1956) and ''Becket'' (Peter Glenville/1964).
-In the meantime his family had returned to South Africa and, after the death of his father in 1963, so did he.  His first project was a film called ''[[Tokoloshe]]'' (1965), for which he brought out his fellow South African (Sid) [[Sidney James]] to play the part of a blind ex-sailor who befriends a young Zulu boy.  This was followed by a number of stage appearances:  ''[[Trap for a Lonely Man]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' (1966), both directed by [[James Gillhouley]] for the [[Johannesburg Reps]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]], and the long-running and regularly revived ''[[Diary of a Madman]]'' (1967), a one-man show directed by [[Gerald Wilson]] presented throughout the country.  This was followed by two more one-man shows, readings from ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1971) at the [[Tollman Towers]], and ''[[Brief Lives]]'' (1973) at the [[Blue Fox Restaurant Theatre]].  In 1966 he presented a revue called ''[[Folk-Trek]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre]], which featured [[Des and Dawn Lindberg]] and others and in 1971 he produced ''[[Dear Liar]]'', starring [[Hugh Rouse]] and [[Diane Wilson]].
+In the meantime his family had returned to South Africa and, after the death of his father in 1963, so did he.  His first project was a film called ''[[Tokoloshe]]'' (1965), for which he brought out his fellow South African (Sid) [[Sidney James]] to play the part of a blind ex-sailor who befriends a young Zulu boy.  This was followed by a number of stage appearances:  ''[[Trap for a Lonely Man]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' (1966), both directed by [[James Gillhouley]] for the [[Johannesburg Reps]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]], and the long-running and regularly revived ''[[Diary of a Madman]]'' (1967), a one-man show directed by [[Gerald Wilson]] presented throughout the country.  This was followed by two more one-man shows, readings from ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1971) at the [[Tollman Towers]], and ''[[Brief Lives]]'' (1973) at the [[Blue Fox Restaurant Theatre]].  In 1966 he presented a revue called ''[[Folk-Trek]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre]], which featured [[Des and Dawn Lindberg]] and others, while in 1971 he produced ''[[Dear Liar]]'', starring [[Hugh Rouse]] and [[Diane Wilson]].
 An unreliable fantasist and inveterate dreamer, he frequently announced projects that did not, in the end, materialize, but that did succeed in keeping him in the public eye.  Sometimes these actions had nothing to do with the theatre, such as his “kidnapping” of 18-year-old Carla Assunta Rosa Bagattini, which led to court appearances.  They were married in September 1965 and divorced in 1968.  He had been married before and there was a child from each marriage.  He died unexpectedly at the Lone Hill Studios at Bryanston.  It is reported that actress [[Juliet Prowse]] was a second cousin.

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 Peter John Prowse was born in Durban, the son of Harry Prowse, an ex-Indian Army officer, and his wife Constance Davies.  At some stage the family moved to England and his first verified performance was when, in a programme presented by the Keyberry (Newton Abbot) Sunday Scholars at the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society, Master Peter Prowse gave the opening and closing recitations.  After World War II he embarked upon a professional acting career, appearing in everything from the children’s play ''Where the Rainbow Ends'', in which he played St. George, and ''Charley's Aunt'', to Shaw’s ''Androcles and the Lion'' and Sheriff’s ''The Long Sunset'', both at the Mermaid Theatre (1961).  He also appeared in a number of films and television plays, though seldom in major roles.  These included parts in ''The Battle of the River Plate'' (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger/1956) and ''Becket'' (Peter Glenville/1964).
-In the meantime his family had returned to South Africa and, after the death of his father in 1963, so did he.  His first project was a film called ''[[Tokoloshe]]'' (1965), for which he brought out his fellow South African (Sid) [[Sidney James]] to play the part of a blind ex-sailor who befriends a young Zulu boy.  This was followed by a number of stage appearances:  ''[[Trap for a Lonely Man]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' (1966), both directed by [[James Gillhouley]] for the [[Johannesburg Reps]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]], and the long-running and regularly revived ''[[Diary of a Madman]]'' (1967), a one-man show directed by [[Gerald Wilson]] presented all through the country.  This was followed by two more one-man shows, readings from ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1971) at the [[Tollman Towers]], and ''[[Brief Lives]]'' (1973) at the [[Blue Fox Restaurant Theatre]].  In 1966 he presented a revue called ''[[Folk-Trek]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre]], which featured [[Des and Dawn Lindberg]] and others and in 1971 he produced ''[[Dear Liar]]'', starring [[Hugh Rouse]] and [[Diane Wilson]].
+In the meantime his family had returned to South Africa and, after the death of his father in 1963, so did he.  His first project was a film called ''[[Tokoloshe]]'' (1965), for which he brought out his fellow South African (Sid) [[Sidney James]] to play the part of a blind ex-sailor who befriends a young Zulu boy.  This was followed by a number of stage appearances:  ''[[Trap for a Lonely Man]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' (1966), both directed by [[James Gillhouley]] for the [[Johannesburg Reps]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]], and the long-running and regularly revived ''[[Diary of a Madman]]'' (1967), a one-man show directed by [[Gerald Wilson]] presented throughout the country.  This was followed by two more one-man shows, readings from ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1971) at the [[Tollman Towers]], and ''[[Brief Lives]]'' (1973) at the [[Blue Fox Restaurant Theatre]].  In 1966 he presented a revue called ''[[Folk-Trek]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre]], which featured [[Des and Dawn Lindberg]] and others and in 1971 he produced ''[[Dear Liar]]'', starring [[Hugh Rouse]] and [[Diane Wilson]].
 An unreliable fantasist and inveterate dreamer, he frequently announced projects that did not, in the end, materialize, but that did succeed in keeping him in the public eye.  Sometimes these actions had nothing to do with the theatre, such as his “kidnapping” of 18-year-old Carla Assunta Rosa Bagattini, which led to court appearances.  They were married in September 1965 and divorced in 1968.  He had been married before and there was a child from each marriage.  He died unexpectedly at the Lone Hill Studios at Bryanston.  It is reported that actress [[Juliet Prowse]] was a second cousin.

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 == Awards ==
-In 1968 he and [[Michael McCabe]] shared the [[Stuart Leith Trophy]] for Best Actor, he for ''[[Diary of a Mad Man]]'' and McCabe for ''[[The Creeper]]''.
+In 1968 he and [[Michael McCabe]] shared the [[Stuart Leith Trophy]] for Best Actor, he for ''[[Diary of a Madman]]'' and McCabe for ''[[The Creeper]]''.
 == Sources ==

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 Peter John Prowse was born in Durban, the son of Harry Prowse, an ex-Indian Army officer, and his wife Constance Davies.  At some stage the family moved to England and his first verified performance was when, in a programme presented by the Keyberry (Newton Abbot) Sunday Scholars at the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society, Master Peter Prowse gave the opening and closing recitations.  After World War II he embarked upon a professional acting career, appearing in everything from the children’s play ''Where the Rainbow Ends'', in which he played St. George, and ''Charley's Aunt'', to Shaw’s ''Androcles and the Lion'' and Sheriff’s ''The Long Sunset'', both at the Mermaid Theatre (1961).  He also appeared in a number of films and television plays, though seldom in major roles.  These included parts in ''The Battle of the River Plate'' (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger/1956) and ''Becket'' (Peter Glenville/1964).
-In the meantime his family had returned to South Africa and, after the death of his father in 1963, so did he.  His first project was a film called ''[[Tokoloshe]]'' (1965), for which he brought out his fellow South African (Sid) [[Sidney James]] to play the part of a blind ex-sailor who befriends a young Zulu boy.  This was followed by a number of stage appearances:  ''[[Trap for a Lonely Man]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' (1966), both directed by [[James Gillhouley]] for the [[Johannesburg Reps]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]], and the long-running and regularly revived ''[[Diary of a Mad Man]]'' (1967), a one-man show directed by [[Gerald Wilson]] presented all through the country.  This was followed by two more one-man shows, readings from ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1971) at the [[Tollman Towers]], and ''[[Brief Lives]]'' (1973) at the [[Blue Fox Restaurant Theatre]].  In 1966 he presented a revue called ''[[Folk-Trek]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre]], which featured [[Des and Dawn Lindberg]] and others and in 1971 he produced ''[[Dear Liar]]'', starring [[Hugh Rouse]] and [[Diane Wilson]].
+In the meantime his family had returned to South Africa and, after the death of his father in 1963, so did he.  His first project was a film called ''[[Tokoloshe]]'' (1965), for which he brought out his fellow South African (Sid) [[Sidney James]] to play the part of a blind ex-sailor who befriends a young Zulu boy.  This was followed by a number of stage appearances:  ''[[Trap for a Lonely Man]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' (1966), both directed by [[James Gillhouley]] for the [[Johannesburg Reps]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]], and the long-running and regularly revived ''[[Diary of a Madman]]'' (1967), a one-man show directed by [[Gerald Wilson]] presented all through the country.  This was followed by two more one-man shows, readings from ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1971) at the [[Tollman Towers]], and ''[[Brief Lives]]'' (1973) at the [[Blue Fox Restaurant Theatre]].  In 1966 he presented a revue called ''[[Folk-Trek]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre]], which featured [[Des and Dawn Lindberg]] and others and in 1971 he produced ''[[Dear Liar]]'', starring [[Hugh Rouse]] and [[Diane Wilson]].
 An unreliable fantasist and inveterate dreamer, he frequently announced projects that did not, in the end, materialize, but that did succeed in keeping him in the public eye.  Sometimes these actions had nothing to do with the theatre, such as his “kidnapping” of 18-year-old Carla Assunta Rosa Bagattini, which led to court appearances.  They were married in September 1965 and divorced in 1968.  He had been married before and there was a child from each marriage.  He died unexpectedly at the Lone Hill Studios at Bryanston.  It is reported that actress [[Juliet Prowse]] was a second cousin.

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 Peter John Prowse was born in Durban, the son of Harry Prowse, an ex-Indian Army officer, and his wife Constance Davies.  At some stage the family moved to England and his first verified performance was when, in a programme presented by the Keyberry (Newton Abbot) Sunday Scholars at the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society, Master Peter Prowse gave the opening and closing recitations.  After World War II he embarked upon a professional acting career, appearing in everything from the children’s play ''Where the Rainbow Ends'', in which he played St. George, and ''Charley's Aunt'', to Shaw’s ''Androcles and the Lion'' and Sheriff’s ''The Long Sunset'', both at the Mermaid Theatre (1961).  He also appeared in a number of films and television plays, though seldom in major roles.  These included parts in ''The Battle of the River Plate'' (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger/1956) and ''Becket'' (Peter Glenville/1964).
-In the meantime his family had returned to South Africa and, after the death of his father in 1963, so did he.  His first project was a film called ''[[Tokoloshe]]'' (1965), for which he brought out his fellow South African (Sid) [[Sidney James]] to play the part of a blind ex-sailor who befriends a young Zulu boy.  This was followed by a number of stage appearances:  ''[[Trap for a Lonely Man]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' (1966), both directed by [[James Gillhouley]] for the [[Johannesburg Reps]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]], and the long-running and regularly revived ''[[Diary of a Mad Man]]'' (1967), a one-man show directed by [[Gerald Wilson]] presented all through the country.  This was followed by two more one-man shows, readings from ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1971) at the [[Tollman Towers]], and ''[[Brief Lives]]'' (1973) at the [[Blue Fox Restaurant Theatre]].  In 1966 he presented a revue called ''[[Folk-Trek]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre]], which featured [[Des and Dawn Lindberg]] and others and in 1971 he produced ''[[Dear Liar]]'', starring [[Hugh Rouse]] and ''Diane Wilson''.
+In the meantime his family had returned to South Africa and, after the death of his father in 1963, so did he.  His first project was a film called ''[[Tokoloshe]]'' (1965), for which he brought out his fellow South African (Sid) [[Sidney James]] to play the part of a blind ex-sailor who befriends a young Zulu boy.  This was followed by a number of stage appearances:  ''[[Trap for a Lonely Man]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' (1966), both directed by [[James Gillhouley]] for the [[Johannesburg Reps]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]], and the long-running and regularly revived ''[[Diary of a Mad Man]]'' (1967), a one-man show directed by [[Gerald Wilson]] presented all through the country.  This was followed by two more one-man shows, readings from ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1971) at the [[Tollman Towers]], and ''[[Brief Lives]]'' (1973) at the [[Blue Fox Restaurant Theatre]].  In 1966 he presented a revue called ''[[Folk-Trek]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre]], which featured [[Des and Dawn Lindberg]] and others and in 1971 he produced ''[[Dear Liar]]'', starring [[Hugh Rouse]] and [[Diane Wilson]].
 An unreliable fantasist and inveterate dreamer, he frequently announced projects that did not, in the end, materialize, but that did succeed in keeping him in the public eye.  Sometimes these actions had nothing to do with the theatre, such as his “kidnapping” of 18-year-old Carla Assunta Rosa Bagattini, which led to court appearances.  They were married in September 1965 and divorced in 1968.  He had been married before and there was a child from each marriage.  He died unexpectedly at the Lone Hill Studios at Bryanston.  It is reported that actress [[Juliet Prowse]] was a second cousin.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-PROWSE, Peter (1924-1976) Actor, director, writer
 == Biography ==
-== Training ==
+In the meantime his family had returned to South Africa and, after the death of his father in 1963, so did he.  His first project was a film called ''[[Tokoloshe]]'' (1965), for which he brought out his fellow South African (Sid) [[Sidney James]] to play the part of a blind ex-sailor who befriends a young Zulu boy.  This was followed by a number of stage appearances:  ''[[Trap for a Lonely Man]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' (1966), both directed by [[James Gillhouley]] for the [[Johannesburg Reps]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]], and the long-running and regularly revived ''[[Diary of a Mad Man]]'' (1967), a one-man show directed by [[Gerald Wilson]] presented all through the country.  This was followed by two more one-man shows, readings from ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1971) at the [[Tollman Towers]], and ''[[Brief Lives]]'' (1973) at the Blue Fox Restaurant Theatre.  In 1966 he presented a revue called ''[[Folk-Trek]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre]], which featured [[Des and Dawn Lindberg]] and others and in 1971 he produced ''[[Dear Liar]]'', starring [[Hugh Rouse]] and ''Diane Wilson''.
-== Career ==
+(Trivia: Amongst his most outlandish ideas were a film about the Battle of Blood River, starring either Rod Steiger or Orson Welles as Piet Retief, and a proposal to present stage shows on jumbo jets.  It is also reported that at the premiere of ''[[Tokoloshe]]'', some 200 blind men and women would be able to follow the story by means of an action script printed in braille, which was actually quite a good idea.)
-==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
+== Awards ==
-== Awards, etc ==
+In 1968 he and [[Michael McCabe]] shared the [[Stuart Leith Trophy]] for Best Actor, he for ''[[Diary of a Mad Man]]'' and McCabe for ''[[The Creeper]]''.
-== Sources ==
+Western Times, 13 March 1933
-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0699122/bio
-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0699122/
+https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0699122/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1
 ''Diary of a Madman'' programme, 1968.
 Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]]