Alewyn Lee

(1926 (?)-1993) Actor, radio and TV announcer, translator and head language advisor to the SABC. *** Had a BA degree in English and Afrikaans from the University of Pretoria. He joined the SABC in 1949,working there till his retirement. His insistance on maintaining language standards in the SABC was the stuff of legend in the industry.

Among his more publicly notable contributions to radio and TV were his role as presenter of the perennially popular literary programme Skrywers en boeke, a discussion of writers and books, and his participation in the TV quiz show Dis my geheim ("This is my secret").

Besides his numerous published works on language and language issues, and his occasional stints as actor for stage, radio and film, he has had a significant impact on radio drama, TV drama and theatre through his translations of works by various international playwrights, used for radio and stage production.

Acting

For film

Had roles in the following films: Breekpunt ("Chemist", 1971); Ma skryf Matriek (1975); Die Rebel ("Dr. Smit" , 1976)

Translations

He (co-)translated and adapted numerous plays into Afrikaans from seven languages, among them:

Il paese delle vacanze by Ugo Betti (1937), translated as Skrikkeljaar (1959)

Fuente Ovejuna by Lope de Vega, translated as Skaapfontein ("Sheep Fountain") (1963)

Mariken van Nieumeghen, translated into Afrikaans as Marietjie van Nijmegen (1963)

Elweheuwel by Johan Ludvig Heiberg, translated and adapted for radio with Neil Pascoe (1953)

La regina e gli insorti by Ugo Betti. Translated into Afrikaans as Die koningin en die rebelle (1969)

Delitto all'isola delle capre (Crime on Goat Island) by Ugo Betti. Translated into Afrikaans as Misdaad op Bokeiland (Crime on Goat Island) (1969)

The Death of Ivan Ilyich (Russian: Смерть Ивана Ильича, Smert' Ivana Ilyicha)by Leo Tolstoy, translated as Die dood van Iwan Iljitsj (1960).

La ciociara, a novel by Alberto Moravia (1957), (Two Women in English) translated as Twee vroue (1965).

He was particularly celebrated for his translations of Chekhov, in 1980 receiving an Artes Award for them. They include Die seemeeu (The Seagull), Die Kersieboord (The Cherry Orchard), Drie susters (Three Sisters), Oom Wanja, Die buffel (lit. "The buffalo", i.e. The Bear), Die huweliksaansoek (The Proposal) (with C. Benade and Nerina Ferreira) and Die groot vraag.

In 1980 his celebrated collection Die Buffel e.a. Eenakters ("The Buffalo and other one act plays") by Anton Chekhov appeared, published by Tafelberg Publishers Ltd.

Awards

In 1980 he received an Artes Award for his translations of Chekhov and was elected a lifetime member of the Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (FAK).

Sources

Die Burger Vrydag, 26 Februarie 1993 bls [1]

Beeld, Vrydag, 26 Februarie 1993 bls 2[2]

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities L

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to Main Page