Limpie Basson

Limpie Basson (1930-2008) Actor, director and designer.

Biography

Limpie lived in Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, for many years. He died in Stellenbsch in November 2008 aged 78.

Training

Studied at the University of Stellenbosch and was part of the first group of drama students in 1949.

1958-1960 Studies in London at the Stanislavsky studio.

Career

Went to England to be a supply teacher at a secondary school in Hackney, London UK during the late 1950s. Returned to be appointed as an actor for PACT in the 1960s, then moved back to the Cape. He rejoined PACT, although not on a full-time basis, after having resigned from CAPAB in 1967.

1960 Joins youth drama NTO, 1962 Joins PACT's Afrikaans company, 1964-1967 CAPAB and takes part in their school and library programmes, 1970 Lectures at the University of Cape Town, plays in productions at Maynardville and The Space.

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

1949 Die sipier in Die Heks (Leipoldt).

In 1971, he directed and led a group of professional actors, employed by the Department of Coloured Affairs, to perform prescribed works at “coloured” schools in the Cape. Worked for CAPAB, Maynardville (King Lear, 1966, Anthony and Cleopatra, 1972), and The Space.

Lokval!, Rashomon (CAPAB 1964). He directed Die Patatta in 1965.

As actor with The Space he did The Bear, Don’t walk about with Nothing On, Eskoriaal, My Broer, Othello Slegs Blankes, Thirteen Clocks, Three's Company for them, directed Die Laaste Middagmaal, My Broer and School Play and designed Three's Company. Also in Skote! (Pieter-Dirk Uys, Jan Van Riebeeck H/S students, 1976).

Other productions include Die Gebreekte Kruik (1963), Die Eerste Oogopslag, Husse Met Lang Ore, Maria Stuart, Othello, The Bear, Charley's Aunt, Die Vonkel in Haar Oë! and many more.

For years he was a radio announcer with Radio Goeie Hoop (Radio Good Hope) and did radio plays and dubbing.

As a Film and TV actor he became well known in later years in such productions and series as Fiela se Kind (receiving an Artes Award), Arende, Verspeelde Lente, Tant Ralie se Losieshuis, Die Spaanse Vlieg and Manakwalanners.

Sources

Astbury 1979.

http://www.maynardville.co.za/www/archive-productions/productions_antony-&-cleopatra_72.php

http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Geliefde-akteur-Limpie-Basson-sterf-20100617

Tribute by Niel le Roux published in Beeld, 18 November 2008.

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