Nicholas Ashby

Nicholas Ashby (19**-) Actor, author. Also credited as Nick Ashby.

Biography

He was born in London, educated in Cape Town and Grahamstown.

Training

Studied at the University of Cape Town. In 2007, when his first novel, Time Pips was published, he was living in Cape Town with his wife and daughter.

Career

After graduating in drama at UCT, he left to escape military conscription, travelling the proverbial world, with longer spells in the Middle East, Russia, Taiwan and the United States, mostly working as a teacher of English. In between, he returned to Johannesburg to act and work in theatre and film.

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

Has appeared in productions for PACT, CAPAB, NAPAC, the Baxter Theatre, the Market Theatre and People's Theatre. Two resounding successes in Cape Town were as Les in East (1990) and Mrs Kaplan and the Witchdoctor (1992). Among others, he has acted in The Seagull for PACT. Love's Labour's Lost for CAPAB, Amadeus and Romeo and Juliet for NAPAC, The Great Gatsby for People's Theatre and Anthony and Cleopatra for CAPAB. He was also seen as Giovanni in the CAPAB drama production of 'Tis Pity She's a Whore.

Other stage productions include Hellhound (1992), Moby Dick (1993), Old Boys (1996).

Film credits include The Time of the Beast and The Perfume of the Cyclone (Toron). On-camera presenting for a CCV Magazine programme, off-camera presenting for Graffiti and narration and voice-overs for various documentaries. He appeared in the TV series Whirlpool, and also in A Journey with Francois le Vaillant.

Awards, etc

Nominated for a regional Vita Award, KZN (award year 1997) for best lead actor in Old Boys.

Sources

A Midsummer Night's Dream programme notes in 1995 at Maynardville.

Sunday Independent, 13 May 2007.

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