Wilna Snyman

Wilna Snyman (1935-) is a stage, film and TV actress.

One of the foremost character actresses of the 1970s to the 1990s.

Biography

She was born in Kimberley on 14 September 1935. She studied drama under Babs Laker, and after four amateur productions for JAATS, NTO offered her a permanent appointment In 1966 she joined PACT's Afrikaans company. She later she moved back to Cape Town, again studying with Babs Laker and doing radio work for Suzanne van Wyk.

In 2014 it was reported that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

Her autobiography Memoires was published in 2006. (ISBN 0620362634).

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

On stage

A fine actress, with a formidable presence on stage, she worked with some of the leading directors of her time, and appeared in numerous plays, very often playing strong women in leading roles.

Included among them have been :

Maria Stuart, Ampie Oppie Diekens, Die Seemeeu, Siener in die Suburbs, Die Vader,

As a prominent member of PACT Drama's famous ensemble company of the 1970s, she appeared in in Die Ryk Weduwee (as Anna de Kock, 1968), Oom Wanja 1969. Her portrayal of Makiet in Kanna hy kô Hystoe, 1974, was memorable. In 1976 she played ** in Vroue van Troje for the Market Theatre. She starred in François Swart’s production of 'n Seder val in Waterkloof in 1975. She starred in Barney Simon’s production of an Afrikaans translation of The Women of Troy at the Market Theatre in 1977. She starred in Die Kersietuin for PACT in 1979. She starred in Die Drie Van Der Walts in 1979. She starred in Filumena in 1981. Die Vroue van Troje, Hamlet. Francois Swart (dir), First Monday in October, 1980, CAPAB. (First English role), Theodora, 1981. She starred in an Afrikaans translation of The Lion in Winter in 1982, in Klipalleen in 1984, Anastasia, Bloedbruilof, Aug. 1985, Don Juan onder die Boere 1985, The Maids at the Windybrow in 1987. She starred in Dieter Reible’s revival of The Lion in Winter in 1988.

She starred in Legends! 1988, Stille Nag 1989, The Balcony, The Real Inspector Hound, Black Comedy and as Molly Dwyer in Gulls (PACOFS 1991). Also as Emily Hobhouse in Dear Mrs. Steyn directed by Deon Opperman and Garth Holmes in the Baxter Concert Hall, in 1991. Also as Emily Hobhouse in Dear Mrs. Steyn directed by Deon Opperman and Garth Holmes in the Baxter Concert Hall, in 1991, Women in the Wings (1992), Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1993),Dear Mrs Steyn October 1999.

She had roles in Herman Steytler’s Vyf Dogters, Die Teken and Stille Nag by Deon Opperman, Sweet Sorrows, Die Leeu in die Winter as Eleanor, Mis in 1994.

Film and TV roles:

1970: Hulda Versteegh MD in the title role

1972: Salomien

1976: Daar kom tant Alie (Fliek), as Elise le Grange

1976: Liefste Madelein, as Madelein

1976: Siener in die suburbs, as Ma

1977: Netnou hoor die kinders

1978: 'n Seder val in Waterkloof ("Sally"),

1978: Weerskant die Nag,

1984: Torn Allegiance, ("Mev. Potgieter")

1987: Liewe Hemel, Genis! ("Aletta")

1989: Brutal Glory ("Ruth Selby")

1993: Death in the Family ("Magdalene du Plessis")

2000: 7de Laan ("Madel Terreblanche", TV series)

2011: Hartland ("Ouma"; TV series)

Awards, etc

She received a Best Actress award for her role in Kanna hy kô Hystoe which was staged at the Alexander Theatre in 1974.

Won the Computicket Award for Best Actress in 1975, 1977 and 1978. Won a Rapport “Oscar” in 1979.

In 1984 she was honoured by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns for her contribution to South African theatre.

Nominee 1991 Snyman, Wilna in Dear Mrs Steyn (Johannesburg Repetory Players Award for best actress in a leading role in English)

Vita Award as Best Supporting Actress for her role in the PACOFS production of Gulls, 1992.

She won a Naledi Lifetime Achiever Award, February 2005.

Sources

https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilna_Snyman

SACD 1973; 1977/78; 1978/79; 1979/80; 1980/81.

Die Burger, 3 March 1984

Stille Nag programme notes, 1990.

Die Burger, 6 May 1991

Die Burger, 26 April 1993.

Cape Argus, 27 April 1993.

Tucker, 1997.

The Star, 15 February 2005.

Rapport, 18 October 2015.

Wilna Snyman. 2006 Memoires. Hermanus: Hemel & See Boeke.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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