Difference between revisions of "Eric Abraham"
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| − | (1954-) South African born film and theatre producer and theatre manager, based in | + | (1954-) South African born film and theatre producer and theatre manager, based in the UK. |
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== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
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He is best known for producing two Oscar-winning films – ''Kolya'' (Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 1996, directed by Jan Sverak) and ''Ida'' (Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 2014, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski). Both films won multiple other awards including, for ''Kolya'', the Golden Globe and, for ''Ida'', a BAFTA and Best European Film award. ''Kolya'' and ''Ida'' are two of the most widely seen foreign language films in the last twenty years. Eric is also known for producing Roald Dahl’s ''Danny, the Champion of the World'', starring Jeremy Irons and a host of British stars. | He is best known for producing two Oscar-winning films – ''Kolya'' (Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 1996, directed by Jan Sverak) and ''Ida'' (Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 2014, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski). Both films won multiple other awards including, for ''Kolya'', the Golden Globe and, for ''Ida'', a BAFTA and Best European Film award. ''Kolya'' and ''Ida'' are two of the most widely seen foreign language films in the last twenty years. Eric is also known for producing Roald Dahl’s ''Danny, the Champion of the World'', starring Jeremy Irons and a host of British stars. | ||
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| + | 2005 marked his West End debut, as a producer of Hugh Whitemore's adaptation of Pirandello's ''[[As You Desire Me]]'' starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Bob Hoskins and directed by Jonathan Kent. In 2006, with his theatre company [[Portobello Productions]], Eric Abraham produced his first solo West End production: ''[[Embers]]'' - a new play he commissioned from Christopher Hampton based on the best-selling novel by Sandor Marai. The play marked Jeremy Irons return to the stage after twenty years and was directed by the Tony award-winning Michael Blakemore. He has commissioned new plays from, amongst others, Nicholas Wright, Hugh Whitemore, Frank McGuinness and Rebecca Lenkiewicz. | ||
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| + | Eric Abraham is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and the European and Czech Film Academies. | ||
For more on his career in Britain , see his website at http://www.portobellopictures.com/About/Eric-Abraham | For more on his career in Britain , see his website at http://www.portobellopictures.com/About/Eric-Abraham | ||
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In October 2006, the company opened an office in Cape Town and set up [[Isango Portobello]] production company in collaboration with director [[Mark Dornford-May]] to produce theatre and film productions with South African talent for South African and international audiences. | In October 2006, the company opened an office in Cape Town and set up [[Isango Portobello]] production company in collaboration with director [[Mark Dornford-May]] to produce theatre and film productions with South African talent for South African and international audiences. | ||
| − | Their first productions together were ''[[A Christmas Carol | + | Their first productions together were ''[[A Christmas Carol - Ikrismas Kherol]]'' and ''[[The Magic Flute|The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo]]''. They both premiered in Cape Town at the [[Baxter Theatre]] and at the Young Vic in London to major acclaim, with ''The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo'' transferring to the Duke of York’s theatre for a successful West End run and winning the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, 2008, before touring internationally. |
The company also presented an acclaimed revival of their production of ''[[The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso]]'' in Cape Town in 2009, prior to a West End transfer. Other productions include ''[[Aesop’s Fables]]'' and ''[[The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists]]''. | The company also presented an acclaimed revival of their production of ''[[The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso]]'' in Cape Town in 2009, prior to a West End transfer. Other productions include ''[[Aesop’s Fables]]'' and ''[[The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists]]''. | ||
In 2010 they opened [[The Fugard]] theatre in Cape Town, to serve as their home base. The entreprise was financially backed by Abraham, however this partnership broke down in 2010, and Abraham appointed a new management, led by himself as Founding Producer and [[Daniel Galloway]] as General Manager. | In 2010 they opened [[The Fugard]] theatre in Cape Town, to serve as their home base. The entreprise was financially backed by Abraham, however this partnership broke down in 2010, and Abraham appointed a new management, led by himself as Founding Producer and [[Daniel Galloway]] as General Manager. | ||
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| + | Eric produced his first South African feature film, [[Oliver Hermanus]]’ ''[[Moffie]]'', which premiered in cinemas on 13 March 2020. | ||
'''For productions by Eric Abraham, also see [[Fugard Theatre]]''' | '''For productions by Eric Abraham, also see [[Fugard Theatre]]''' | ||
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''[[Langarm]]'' programme 2018. https://www.thefugard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/langarm-programme.pdf | ''[[Langarm]]'' programme 2018. https://www.thefugard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/langarm-programme.pdf | ||
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| + | ''[["Master Harold"...and the Boys]]'' programme 2020. https://www.thefugard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Master-Harold-and-the-Boys-Programme.pdf | ||
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:02, 27 September 2026
(1954-) South African born film and theatre producer and theatre manager, based in the UK.
Contents
Biography
Born Eric Antony Abraham in Wynberg, Cape Town, to a naval commander,
Abrahams studied at the University of Cape Town and became a student activist, and then a journalist and BBC Radio correspondent in South Africa in the 1970s. Placed under house-arrest and banned by the apartheid government in 1976, he was later exiled for 15 years.
Career in film, TV, theatre and publishing
He went to the UK in 1977 and became a producer of BBC TV’s Panorama programme for several years and turned to film and theatre production - going on to found his own independent film, television and theatre production company in 1985, calling it Portobello Pictures.
He produced many acclaimed television dramas and theatre productions in Britain over the years, and in addition, he and his wife, publisher and philanthropist Sigrid Rausing, founded the Portobello Books publishing house in 2005, acquiring the literary journal Granta and Granta Books as well.
He is best known for producing two Oscar-winning films – Kolya (Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 1996, directed by Jan Sverak) and Ida (Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 2014, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski). Both films won multiple other awards including, for Kolya, the Golden Globe and, for Ida, a BAFTA and Best European Film award. Kolya and Ida are two of the most widely seen foreign language films in the last twenty years. Eric is also known for producing Roald Dahl’s Danny, the Champion of the World, starring Jeremy Irons and a host of British stars.
2005 marked his West End debut, as a producer of Hugh Whitemore's adaptation of Pirandello's As You Desire Me starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Bob Hoskins and directed by Jonathan Kent. In 2006, with his theatre company Portobello Productions, Eric Abraham produced his first solo West End production: Embers - a new play he commissioned from Christopher Hampton based on the best-selling novel by Sandor Marai. The play marked Jeremy Irons return to the stage after twenty years and was directed by the Tony award-winning Michael Blakemore. He has commissioned new plays from, amongst others, Nicholas Wright, Hugh Whitemore, Frank McGuinness and Rebecca Lenkiewicz.
Eric Abraham is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and the European and Czech Film Academies.
For more on his career in Britain , see his website at http://www.portobellopictures.com/About/Eric-Abraham
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
In October 2006, the company opened an office in Cape Town and set up Isango Portobello production company in collaboration with director Mark Dornford-May to produce theatre and film productions with South African talent for South African and international audiences.
Their first productions together were A Christmas Carol - Ikrismas Kherol and The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo. They both premiered in Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre and at the Young Vic in London to major acclaim, with The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo transferring to the Duke of York’s theatre for a successful West End run and winning the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, 2008, before touring internationally.
The company also presented an acclaimed revival of their production of The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso in Cape Town in 2009, prior to a West End transfer. Other productions include Aesop’s Fables and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.
In 2010 they opened The Fugard theatre in Cape Town, to serve as their home base. The entreprise was financially backed by Abraham, however this partnership broke down in 2010, and Abraham appointed a new management, led by himself as Founding Producer and Daniel Galloway as General Manager.
Eric produced his first South African feature film, Oliver Hermanus’ Moffie, which premiered in cinemas on 13 March 2020.
For productions by Eric Abraham, also see Fugard Theatre
Sources
http://www.portobellopictures.com/About/Eric-Abraham
http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/eric-antony-abraham
Langarm programme 2018. https://www.thefugard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/langarm-programme.pdf
"Master Harold"...and the Boys programme 2020. https://www.thefugard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Master-Harold-and-the-Boys-Programme.pdf
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to The ESAT Entries
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