David Dennis

David Dennis (19**-). Actor, singer.

Biography

David was born in Cape Town circa 1960, the son of Unity Dennis.

Training

He studied drama at the University of Cape Town Drama Department, graduating in 1982.

Career

In his early career he worked for CAPAB and NAPAC.

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

As a student he appeared in Marcus Brutus (1982) and The Ride Across Lake Constance (1983).

His professional career included performances in The Insect Play (Little Theatre 1983), Exit the King (CAPAB 1984), Falstaff (CAPAB 1984), As You Like It (Maynardville 1985), The Fall of the House of Usher (CAPAB 1985), Cock-Ups (CAPAB 1985), Don Juan, or 'The Nightmare of Venus' (Glass Theatre 1980s), The Broken Heart (mid-1980s), Francis (CAPAB 1985), Tramway Road 1986, Diplomatic Baggage (1986), Funeral March of a Marionette (1987), Present Laughter (CAPAB 1987), Ghetto (CAPAB 1987), The Prince and the Sphinx (1987), The Seagull (CAPAB 1987), Ubu Roi (CAPAB 1987), Measure for Measure (as Claudio, Maynardville 1987), The Importance of Being Earnest (CAPAB 1988), A Man for All Seasons (NAPAC 1988), The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1988), Frank'n'stein (1988-1989), The Merry Widow (CAPAB 1989), Singin' in the Rain (1989), Macbeth (NAPAC 1990).

Other roles include Pieter Toerien’s production of Lend Me a Tenor (1990), Candide (1990), Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show (1992), The Mystery of Irma Vep (NAPAC 1993), The Rocky Horror Show (Baxter Theatre/CAPAB, 1993), Hunch (National Arts Festival 1995), Twelfth Night 1998, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Maynardville 2003), The Tragedy of Richard III (National Arts Festival 2010), Brothers in Blood (2012), The Pirates of Penzance (2012).

Awards

Winner of the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Most Promising Student in 1982.

A most versatile and talented actor, he has won numerous awards over the years, including The Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor in four plays in 1984 (i.e. Vamp, Falstaff, The Taming of the Shrew and Celebration) for Loot (1996) and Twelfth Night (1998).

Vita Award (National) 1993 for The Rocky Horror Show.

Vita Award (KZN) 1994 Frank'n'stein (best actor in leading role).

Vita Award (Gauteng) 1998 The Rocky Horror Show: most outstanding performance in musical theatre.

Durban Theatre Award 2003 Best male performer in musical for Far From the Madding Crowd.

Won Fleur du Cap Best supporting actor: Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Won Fleur du Cap Dennis, David : Loot; Best supporting actor; nominated Vita Cape 1996 Dennis, David : `Loot' [best lead actor

Nominated Best Supporting Actor Fleur du Cap The Tragedy of Richard III, 2010.

Sources

http://adrianbekker.blogspot.com/

Various entries in the NELM catalogue.

Tucker, 1997.

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