Difference between revisions of "Ralph Trewhela"

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TREWHELA, Ralph (1911-1983) Composer, lyricist, broadcaster, playwright and copyright specialist.  
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[[Ralph Trewhela]] (1911-1983). Composer, lyricist, broadcaster, playwright and copyright specialist.  
  
  
 
== Biography ==
 
== Biography ==
  
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He married [[Evelyn Levison]]. Their daughter is author [[Beverley Naidoo]].
  
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=== Career ===
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Composed light music, notabaly some popular songs during the 2nd World War (e.g. "So Long Sarie" and also "There's a Boy up North" which was recorded by Vera Lynn).
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His book ''Song Safari - A Journey through Light Music In South Africa'' (published by The Limelight Press, 1980) traces the history of South African light music. 
  
=== Youth ===
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Later worked for [[Gallo Records]] as administrator and a specialist on international copyright.
  
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He was a board member of [[SAMRO]] for several years.
  
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==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
  
=== Training ===
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He composed music for the 1951 film ''[[The Pennywhistle Blues]]'' (also known as ''[[The Magic Garden]]'').
  
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Wrote and composed a number of musical shows including:
  
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* ''[[Happy Landings]]'' (date unknown)
  
=== Career ===
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* ''[[Sextet]]'' (with [[Anthony Farmer]] and [[Adam Leslie]], 1957)
Composed light music, notabaly some popular songs during the 2nd World War (e.g. "So Long Sarie" and "There's a Boy up North"). His book ''Song Safari'' (19**) traces the history of South African light music.  Later worked for Gallo Records as administrator and a specialist on international copyright.
 
  
==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
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* ''[[Ever Since Eve]]'' ((with [[Anthony Farmer]] and [[Ken Hooper]], 1958)
Wrote and composed a number of musical shows including ''[[Happy Landings]]'' (19**), ''[[Eldorado]]'' ([[Brooke Theatre]], 1960), * He worked with [[Anthony Farmer]] and [[Adam Leslie]] as composer on ''[[Sextet]]'' (1957), ''[[Ever Since Eve]]'' (1958), and ''[[I Spy]]'' (1959).
 
  
His musical comedy ''[[Eldorado]]'' produced by the Wits Choral Society, 1978; presented by [[Brian Brooke]] with Elsa Fouche and Thora Phillips, 1960, [[Brooke Theatre]].
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* ''[[I Spy]]'' (with [[Anthony Farmer]] and [[Adam Leslie]], 1959)
  
''[[Ever Since Eve]]'', music and lyrics by RT, book by Anthony Framer and Ken Hooper, presented by [[Anthony Farmer]] in association with Howard Hooper (Pty) Ltd (1958 and 1959)
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* He is also credited with writing additional lyrics for ''[[King Kong: An All-African Jazz Opera]]'' (1959)
  
His musical ''[[Aladdin and the Magic Lamp]]'' performed by the [[Civic Theatre]]’s Marionette Company, July 1994, directed by [[Bess Finney]].
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* ''[[Eldorado]]'' (1960)
  
''[[I Spy]]'' first presented at the [[Library Theatre]] Johannesbyrg 13 May 1959.
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* ''[[Aladdin and the Magic Lamp]]'' (1974)
  
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He collaborated on several series of children's programmes with his wife [[Evelyn Levison]], including ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'', ''[[Aesop's Fables]]'' and the radio programme ''[[Tales of the Bushveld]]''.
  
 
== Awards, etc ==
 
== Awards, etc ==
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[[ESAT Bibliography Tra-Tz|Tucker]], 1997.
 
[[ESAT Bibliography Tra-Tz|Tucker]], 1997.
  
''AfricaWide'' database
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Various entries in the [[NELM]] catalogue.
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IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6242420].
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https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045021/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt
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http://www.tyndale.me.uk/king-kong-1961.htm
  
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https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/41615597/samro-notes
  
 
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
 
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]

Latest revision as of 22:49, 2 September 2026

Ralph Trewhela (1911-1983). Composer, lyricist, broadcaster, playwright and copyright specialist.


Biography

He married Evelyn Levison. Their daughter is author Beverley Naidoo.

Career

Composed light music, notabaly some popular songs during the 2nd World War (e.g. "So Long Sarie" and also "There's a Boy up North" which was recorded by Vera Lynn).

His book Song Safari - A Journey through Light Music In South Africa (published by The Limelight Press, 1980) traces the history of South African light music.

Later worked for Gallo Records as administrator and a specialist on international copyright.

He was a board member of SAMRO for several years.

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

He composed music for the 1951 film The Pennywhistle Blues (also known as The Magic Garden).

Wrote and composed a number of musical shows including:

He collaborated on several series of children's programmes with his wife Evelyn Levison, including Gulliver's Travels, Aesop's Fables and the radio programme Tales of the Bushveld.

Awards, etc

Sources

Tucker, 1997.

Various entries in the NELM catalogue.

IMDb [1].

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045021/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

http://www.tyndale.me.uk/king-kong-1961.htm

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/41615597/samro-notes

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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