Barrie Hough

Barrie Michael Hough (1953-2004). Journalist, novelist, dramatist and theatre reviewer.

Biography

Youth and training

Hough was born in Johannesburg on 17 January 1953. His father died when he was a boy and he was raised by his mother. He went to Helpmekaar Boys' High School in Johannesburg and then to Rand Afrikaans University where he completed a degree in communication, followed by a master's degree, writing his thesis on the plays of Athol Fugard.

Career

He was a teacher at St Barnabas College in Johannesburg before he went into journalism. Joined the arts page of Rapport in 19**, and became one of the most influential and popular theatre critics of the 1980s and 1990s. Also became a multiple award-winning writer of children’s stories (notably the award-winning My kat word herfs ) .

After teaching briefly he joined the Afrikaans daily newspaper Beeld as a theatre critic.

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

His plays include Skilpoppe (which was also filmed), Vlerkdans (with Lizz Meiring, 1999) and Breek (with Lizz Meiring).

Awards, etc

In 1984 his arts journalism won him an AA Vita Award.

Sources

Tribute written by Diane de Beer, published in Pretoria News, 19 August 2004.

Sunday Times, 22 August 2004.

Various entries in the NELM catalogue.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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