Nerina Ferreira

FERREIRA, Nerina. (1921-2012) Radio, film and stage actress and translator.

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

She knew and could actively use 12 languages, including Hungarian, Finnish, French, Spanish, Italian and German and over the years translated numerous works, notably plays - including Shakespeare and Ibsen - into Afrikaans for radio and stage. Also the works of Astrid Ludgren, notably the much loved Pippi Langkous. Her delightful and highly accomplished translations of play texts over the years have been instrumental in building up a strong Afrikaans canon of theatre texts and performances. Among her best known translations are Die Argument, Emigrante, As die Turksvy Blom, Nag, Moeder van die Dag, Erns in Luim, Die Snobs, Amadeus (SABC, ***), **, Die Tou (ArtsCape, 1992), Begeerte (Eugene O'Neill’s Desire under the Elms, Baxter Theatre and KKNK 2006),

As an actress she worked for NTO and CAPAB (e.g. as Eliabet Roos in Die Ryk Weduwee 1976), and also did radio work for the SABC (RSG).

Over the years she had stage roles in plays such as Anastasia, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Real Inspector Hound, Dokter teen Wil en Dank, Les Aveugles, Ons Hou Konsert, Die Proponentjie, Ons Hou Konsert, Die Koning Sterf, Richard III, Tartuffe, The Happiest Days of Your Life, A Flea in her Ear, Die Dame met die Kamelias, Yerma, Roulette, The Two Executioners, Both Ends Meet, Biography, Police.

Her acting career also included films like Die Spook van Donkergat, Troudag vir Tant Ralie (1975), * Her first appearance in an English role with CAPAB Drama was as Eleonora in Tango (1970).

Awards

In 1992 she received the Fleur du Cap Lifetime Award for her contribution to theatre in Cape Town and as actress and translator of many plays.

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