Trix Pienaar

Trix Pienaar (1939- ) is a stage, film and TV actress and translator.

Biography

Born on 11 May 1938 in Malmesbury, the daughter of a parson.

She started out working as a librarian, while dreaming of becoming a writer.

She was married John Ractliffe in 1971, with whom she had a son, Jacques.

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

She was discovered as an actress by Jans Rautenbach, who had met her at a social evening and cast her in a cameo role in his film Pappa Lap. Impressed he next gave her a leading role in Sarah (1975), alongside Gordon Vorster - a role for which she won the Rapport Oscar.

Film

Film has been her favourite genre, and she appeared in a large number over the years, including The Guest (Fugard/Devenish, 1977),

The stage

She is also a highly regarded stage actress, having become a member of Pieter-Dirk Uys's Syrkel Theatre Company at the The Space in 1975, and going on to work for the Performing Arts Councils, as well as a range of independent companies, such as Fringe, The Market Theatre and A Company of Actors.

Roles over the years have included Karnaval (Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1975), Strike up the Banned (Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1975) , Black Beauty and the Boss (Pieter-Dirk Uys, Labia Theatre, 1976), Snow White and the Special Branch (Pieter-Dirk Uys, Labia Theatre, 1976), Karnaval. She later also played “Dolla” in the Pieter Toerien revamp of Die Van Aardes van Grootoor and in Die Vleiroos (Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1995).

For PACT she appeared as "Annie Sullivan" Die Wonderwerk (an Afrikaans translation of The Miracle Worker, 1978), a reprise of Siener in die Suburbs (PACT, 1981),

She has appeared in Briewe aan 'n Rooi Dak, Die Vleiroos, Peepshow, Om Hendrik Weg te Bring, Old Moore's Almanac, Cold Stone Jug, The Island of Slaves (1982), The Guest, Flikkers en Vlooie, Karnaval, Medea, Mis, Kinkels innie Kabel, Scathkadie the Sorceress, Dimetos, 'n Skewe Sirkel, God's Forgotten (1995), Wydekloof, (2001), Stywe Lyne (Charles Fourie, 2003), K (2004), Demjanjuk (2004).

Television

Her television career has been equally prolific, with her not only acting, but also working on the productions in various capacities. TV appearances include:

Other activities

Translated Le Dieu du Carnage into Afrikaans entitled God van Chaos.

In 2005 she participated in The Baxter Storytelling Festival at The Baxter Theatre Centre (in association with Sibikwa Community Theatre Project).

She has been a member of a number of companies, besides working for the arts councils, among them the Syrkel Theatre Company, Fringe and A Company of Actors.

Awards, etc

She was nominated for a Vita Award for her role in 'n Skewe Sirkel (Beeld 23 June 1992)

Die Van Aardes van Grootoor (Fleur du Cap Award, Best Supporting Actress 1992),

Sources

SACD 1977/78; 1978/79; 1979/80; 1981/82.

Tucker, 1997.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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