Hazel Feldman

Hazel Feldman (1948-) is a journalist, theatre impresario, public relations consultant and publicist.

Biography

Born in Johannesburg on 11 November, 1948, completing her schooling in 1965, then joined South African Associated Press to become a journalist. She eventually worked for the Rand Daily Mail, Sunday Express and Sunday Times before joining the entertainment industry in Johannesburg.

Married with two children. Her son, Tony Feldman, joined her at Showtime Management in 2004.

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

In January 1969 she joined Fox Theatres as press officer, dealing with both stage and film shows. She marketed shows at the Commissioner Street theatres and cinemas featuring artists such as Isaac Hayes and Tina Turner in the days before cultural sanctions halted the flow of international acts to SA.

In 1970, she also formed her own company, Showtime International (later Showtime Events and Showtime Management).

In 1979 she began working as a producer on contract for the new Sun City resort. She put Showtime International on hold when Sol Kerzner insisted she join his management team in 1981, bringing several big-name international acts to South Africa such as Frank Sinatra (who opened the Sun City Superbowl in July 1981), Queen, Rod Stewart and Elton John.

She re-launched Showtime International in 1993, when she left Sun International after the completion the resort’s third-phase development with the Palace Hotel and the Lost City. She subsequently led the market for stadium concerts in SA.

As publicist

Stage shows she has worked on as publicist include:

The All-New, Non-Stop Minstrel Scandals (1970); the two tours by Liberace (1971, 197*); The Kokusai Revue (Yango John, 1973), Chicago (PACT, 1977)

As promotor and producer

International artists in South Africa

Queen (Sun City), Frank Sinatra (1981, Sun City) and Elton John (Sun City), Pavarotti, Jean-Michel Jarre Spectacular for opening of Lost City & Palace at Sun City. Gloria Estefan concerts (1997), Pavarotti Concerts (1996), Rolling Stones Concert (1995), 3 Tenors Concert at Union Buildings (1999).

Theatre

Fame, Chicago, We Will Rock You, Menopause The Musical (with Pieter Toerien, 2006 and 2007), Rent, Dreamgirls (2011) , Jersey Boys, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Disney's Beauty and the Beast (with Pieter Toerien), Disney's High School Musical (with Pieter Toerien), Mamma Mia! (2010).

Film work

Publicity for many films, including Shanghai Patrol (David Millin)

Other positions held

Executive in the TMSA (Theatre Managements of South Africa, 1993-)

Executive Producer of the Miss World Beauty Pageant (1992 - 1993),

Director Entertainment for Sun International Ltd (1984 - 1993)

Sources

SACD 1974

http://whoswho.co.za/hazel-feldman-2963

Programme for the Kokusai Revue (courtesy of Geoff Burmeister)

Doug Gordon. 'Showbiz veteran gets ready to rock a watching world'. Leader. https://www.leader.co.za/article.aspx?s=6&a=1838

Go to the ESAT Bibliography

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