Delia Sainsbury

Delia Sainsbury (19**-). British-born actress and dancer.

Biography

She married Keith Galloway in 1970 after having met him in a Drury Lane production of The Four Musketeers. Their daughters Joanne (billed as Jo Galloway) and Genna Galloway have followed in their footsteps as actors, singers and dancers.

Training

Delia Sainsbury trained at the famous Bush-Davies School in London attaining her teaching qualifications in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre Dance and Tap and a Performers Diploma in Drama through the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Career

She made her debut in Camelot at Drury Lane Theatre and went on to appear in 9 other West End Musicals in London. Theatre Credits include: Funny Girl, The Four Musketeers, Canterbury Tales and West Side Story. In addition, Delia performed in various U.K. regional venues, on BBC television and in international movies. She was a regular on the London Cabaret circuit.

After moving to SA in 1976, Delia went on to become a household name for over 20 years as a Presenter on SABC, affectionately known as the “Golden Girl of Television.” She was granted Senior International Examiner status for the I.S.T.D. in 1986 and was given the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. She is the first international member of the Grand Council for the I.S.T.D. and is now the Liaison Officer for the I.S.T.D. for Africa and the Middle East.

She is a Founder and the Managing Director of the Waterfront Theatre School.

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

She starred in West Side Story which was staged at the Alexander Theatre in 1970 by Hymie Udwin’s Academy. It also starred Patricia Arnell, Lynton Burns, Richard Loring, Michael Harrison and Keith Galloway. Kip Andrews directed and choreographed while Anthony Farmer did the set design. It later moved to the Empire Theatre before leaving for Cape Town.

Together with Keith Galloway she staged a musical for children called Wooglebugs, Witches and Wonderful Things at the newly opened Little Theatre in 1983. Together with Keith Galloway she ran the Little Theatre in Rosebank circa 1987. In 1992 they moved to Cape Town and established the Waterfront Theatre School.

Also worked in shows overseas. Performed in Magic Maestro Please, Compass, Gateway, Sing, Walk Right In, Wonderful World of Make Believe.

Sources

Tucker, 1997.

SACD 1978/79; 1979/80; 1980/81.

Cape Times, 3 December 2009.

Waterfront Theatre School Website, https://www.wtschool.co.za/our-staff

For more information

Who's Who Southern Africa [1].

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities S

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page