Neels Coetzee

(1943-) Actor on stage, radio, TV and screen.

Studied at the University of Pretoria Drama Department (graduating in 1967) and in 1968 joined PACOFS as actor, staying till 1974. In 1975 he moved to the Cape to become a member of the CAPAB company till the demise of the company in 1996, and after which he became a freelance actor, based in Cape Town.

Stage roles

PACOFS 1968-1974

He was one of the stalwarts of the permanent company and played numerous lead and supporting roles, including ***, "Caliban" in Leslie French's acclaimed The Tempest (1970) ***, .

CAPAB 1975-1996

For them he did Die Joiner, Kyk Hoe Hol Hulle, Ons Hou Konsert II, Skelmpie Kom Vanaand, Razumov,, Ek, Anna van Wyk (1984), Going Under (1984), Don Juan by Max Frisch, directed by Mavis Taylor, Quartet (1988), Aristophanes's Die Tou (1992)**, Nag, Moeder van die Dag (1991), Mirakel (1994), Elizabeth as Grosslady, The Taming of the Shrew (1996), Drie Susters Twee (Reza de Wet, 1997) ****.

Freelance work

Since the disbanding of the PAC’s he has been in demand as senior actor by smaller independent productions, doing ***, Wynland (Jan Ellis, 2001), Koggelmanderman (Pieter Fourie, 2003), Vrededorp by Charles Fourie (KKNK, 2005), Die Lewe is Alleen Draaglik as ‘n Mens ‘n Bietjie Dronk is , Altyd Jonker , Die Storm (2007), Ella se Perde , Die Koggelaar, Ons vir Jou (2008, 2009).

Was a part of Jannie Gildenhuys's Werkteatergroep which performed several classics and Shakespeare works between 1971 and 1973. Nominated for a Three Leaf Award for his role as Dionysos in Die Paddas by Aristophanes. Received the Port Elizabeth Evening Post Award for the role of Marius Byleveld in The Road to Mecca (1990) and was nominated for a Fleur du Cap Best Actor Award in 1992 for his role as the father in Nag, Moeder van die Dag. He won the Fleur du Cap Best Actor Award in 1993 for his role in Die Tou. He received a FNB Vita Award nomination for his portrayal of Antoine in Reza de Wet's Mirakel. He was seen in Travesties, The Visit and 'Tis Pity She's a Whore for CAPAB drama.

Radio, television and film

Besides doing extensive voice work and acting for radio, he has appeared in many television plays and series, including Meester, Arende, The Game, Tropical Heat, Egoli, Isidingo, Generations, Binnelanders , Jacob's Cross, Snitch and 7de Laan.

Awards

Nominated for many awards, he received the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award as Best Supporting Actor Die Tou ( 1992).

Sources

A Midsummer Night's Dream programme notes in 1995 at Maynardville.

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