James Borthwick

James Borthwick (1948-). Bilingual (Afrikaans and English) Actor.

Biography

Trained at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.

Married to actress Rika Sennett and father of Kate Borthwick and Hannah Borthwick.

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

He worked for PACT for a number of years in the 1980s, appearing in numerous stage productions, including Murder by Proxy (Intimate Theatre, 1981); The Rivals (1983), Terrence Shank’s stage adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath; Chekhov in Yalta and Uncle Vanya (1986); Loot (1986), Hapgood (1989).

He later appeared in a number of plays by Paul Slabolepszy, including Travelling Shots (which includes the monolgue Abnormal Load), Tickle to Fine Leg, Life's a Pitch (1998), Crashing the Night (2000).

Other plays include The Dead Wait (1997), Craig Freimond’s The King of Laughter (2006), Sunset Boulevard (2013).

He directed Aladdin (in Sjiena) in 1994.

His TV work includes the lead role in the popular series Scoop Schoombie, Erfsondes, Gabriël, Hillside, Konsternasie Oppie Stasie, On the Couch (2008-), Van der Walt's Fault.

Film work includes roles in The Guest/Die Besoeker.

Awards, etc.

Among many awards he was awarded a DALRO and Piers Nicholson Award 1978. Nominated for a Vita Award (national) best lead actor for his role in Blackage 1997. Won a Fleur du Cap Award as best actor for Evita (2011)

Sources

Limelight 1979/80.

Various entries in the NELM catalogue.

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