Francois Toerien
Francois Toerien (1973-) Actor, comedian, director, designer and television personality.
Contents
Biography
Studied history and theory of drama at the University of Stellenbosch, then did an Honours Degree in Directing at the Drama Department at the University of Stellenbosch (1998).
Initially actor and director for the Stellebosch based Spektrum Produksies, he later managed the company for GiGi Fourie. Also ran the Klein Libertas Teater two years (1998-1999?*). In 2000 he was selected as one of the continuity presenters for KykNet, the Afrikaans commercial TV channel and became a nationally recognized celebrity.
He now also teaches drama at the PNX Global College for the Performing Arts in Somerset West.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As a student he performed in Ipekonders (1994), Die Vampier (1994), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1997) and directed Lunch Girls (1997).
Besides the television work, he performed in a number of prose and verse productions with his former wife Nicole Holm (normally compiled and directed by Juanita Swanepoel for the KKNK festival) and had an enormous success as "Trompie" in the popular comedy Roadkill/Padkos by Malan Steyn (2000-2001).
He has also appeared on stage in Die Renosters (1994), Vuilspel (1999), Yerma (2001), the cabaret Outopsie (2001), Cardboard Dreams (2002), Jan en Jorie (2003), Kringe in 'n Bos (2004-2007), , Vrypas (as narrator, 2006).
Over the years he also wrote and directed the immensely popular annual series Die Francois Toerien Show at the Little Libertas Theatre in Stellenbosch and various festival venues.
He directed and/or designed many stage plays over the years, including Eet Alles (by Malan Steyn, 2004-2005), Vrededorp by Charles Fourie (KKNK, 2005), Sara (KKNK 2008), Daai V-Ding (Woordfees 2011), wrote and directed Rekmerke: Grepe uit 'n Swangerskap (2013), Jan en Jorie, Heidi - Die Musiekspel.
As playwright he wrote the texts for the pantomime Jan en die Boontjierank, Hensop! and Hortjies Dig: Die storie van digter Peter Blum (2025-6).
He adapted a number of prose works for the stage, inter alia Die Dinge van 'n Kind, Hoerkind,
His TV work included roles as presenter of programmes such as Kniediep (1999-2001), DKNT (music programme, 2008-2011) and VNL (late night comedy show, 2014-2015).
Awards, etc
He was a winner of the ATKV's Youth Drama competition (Tienertoneelkompetisie) .
Sources
Who's Who Southern Africa[1].
Programme for Hortjies Dig premiere at the Suidoosterfees in Cape Town. (A copy held in the PARC research collection at the Africa Open Institute in Stellenbosch.)
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