Roger Dwyer

Roger Dwyer. (1941-2007) Actor on stage, radio and film, and manager. ***

Biography

He died in Cape Town in April 2007.

Training

Trained both at the University of Cape Town and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Career

He performed extensively in the UK, and after returning to South Africa joined CAPAB (1967). Over 15 years he performed in and directed numerous acclaimed productions. He later moved on to NAPAC where he was instrumental in establishing the Loft Theatre. At the time of the opening of the Natal Playhouse he held the position of Administration Head of Drama. Dwyer went on to become company manager for CAPAB’s English Drama Section.

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

He appeared as Diomedes in Antony and Cleopatra at the Little Theatre in 1960.

In 1962 he played in Flora Stohr's production of Ann Jellicoe's The Sport of my Mad Mother at the Little Theatre and to much acclaim of South African and European audiences. At a German Student Festival he was a singled out talent along with John Mitchel/Mitchell(??*). **

Among his best known performances are in Cape Charade or Kaatje Kekkelbek (1968), The Emperor (1970), Arms and the Man (CAPAB 1977), Confusions (1979), The Relapse (CAPAB 1979), Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Miss Julie (1973), Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Poor Murderer, Othello (1982), Richard II, as Pickering in My Fair Lady for CAPAB. He took part in productions for the Baxter Theatre and in comedies for Pieter Toerien at Theatre on the Bay.

He starred in the Baxter Theatre’s production of Every Good Boy Deserves Favour in 1988. He starred in Giles Havergal’s Travels with my Aunt at the Leonard Rayne Theatre in August 1994. (See ) [FdV, TH]

He performed in King Lear for Artscape, Cry, The Beloved Country, New Day and Church Full of Light.

He co-directed and played Mr Abramson in Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight, 2000.

He has directed The Garden at the Threshold (CAPAB 1967), Present Laughter, The Diary of Anne Frank, See How They Run, Boeing Boeing (NAPAC 1990), Rookery Nook (CAPAB 1975), Mr Rhodes and the Princess (1976), Male Intellect and London Assurance.

His TV credits include Isidingo, Generations, 7de Laan, Going Up, Madam & Eve, Streaks, Die Vierde Kabinet, Fishy Feshuns and Kalahari Oasis.

He appeared in the film The Last Enemy.

Awards, etc

Twice won the coveted AA Vita Award for Best Actor.

Sources

Inskip, 197*

Tucker, 1997.

Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight programme notes, 2000

Cape Times, 5 April 2007.

Various entries in the NELM catalogue.

Go to South African Theatre/Bibliography

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