Wensley Pithey

Wensley Pithey (b. 21/06/1914 - d. 10/11/1993). Actor.

Biography

He emigrated to England after World War II, where he enjoyed a succesful career, spending much of his screen time impersonating Winston Churchill.

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

As actor

He made a striking debut on stage with Henry IV by Luigi Pirandello, at the Little Theatre in 1935. In 1938 he did Six Characters in Search of an Author the newly founded Theatre Club at the Little Theatre under the direction of Rollo Gamble.

Performed for the Gwen ffrangçon-Davies / Marda Vanne Company between 1941 and 1946 e.g. in The Merry Wives of Windsor in 1945. He staged Laburnum Grove starring Siegfried Mynhardt in 1946. Performed in George Washington Slept Here together with Gordon Mulholland. It was directed by Taubie Kushlick in 1946. Starred in Emlyn Williams's The Wind of Heaven in 1946, together with Gwen ffrangçon-Davies, Marda Vanne, Zoë Randall and Sidney James.

As director

He was the director of the Cape Town Little Theatre in December 1939. Productions directed by him include:

1939: After October (UCT Dramatic Society)

1939: Three Sisters (UCT Dramatic Society/UCT Department of Speech and Drama)

Sources

Tucker, 1997.: 13,

Inskip, Donald P., 1977 [TH]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-wensley-pithey-1506543.html

The South African Theatre, Music and Dance 1(1), 1939

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities P

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to Main Page