Neil Sandilands

Neil Sandilands (1975-). Actor, director and producer for stage, film and TV.

Biography

He was born Neil Joseph William Sandilands in Randfontein on 1 May 1975.

Training

Neil began performing while at elementary school, appearing in various revues, operettas and drama competitions, his repertoire including an impersonation of David Kramer.

At high school he continued performing, also professionally. After school he went abroad as a Rotary exchange student, and on his return pursued a BA in Communications at the Rand Afrikaans University, graduating in 1996 with a BA (Communications). He received an honorary award for his contribution to Arts & Culture from the University, having won its Theatre Festival three years consecutively with plays that he had written and starred in, as well initiating an International Film Festival. Two of the plays were Vincent and Noir.

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

TV work

Started in TV as a fourteen year old in the series Meester (1991) by Paul C. Venter and Annie Basson, but became a household name as "Bart" in the hugely popular Afrikaans soap-opera Sewende Laan ("Seventh Aveue"), from 2000 to 2005. His other television credits include lead characters in Konings, Carpe Diem and Soutmansland.

Films

He has produced and directed a short film entitled Entre Nous.

Documentary work

Produced Impresario (with Albert Maritz), an award-winning series on South African theatre personalities.

Stage performances

While at University he wrote, produced and performed in his own plays, winning University colours for his contribution to culture.

His plays include Noir and Vincent, which he also produced and performed in, for the National Arts Festival.

He appeared on stage as Gene in Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight (2000), My Night with Reg (2002), in Saturday Night at the Palace as Vince, Faan se Trein , 2006, Hedda Gabler (as Lovborg), 2006, Festen (director Heinrich Reisenhofer, 2007. KKNK), Taraboemdery (2009-2010).

Awards, etc

Among the stage acting awards he has won is the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award as Best Supporting Actor for "Guy" in My Night with Reg (2002).

Sources

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1442644/bio

Correspondence from Wilmaré van der Merwe, a friend of the actor. (10 June 2021)

Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight programme notes.

Cape Times, 14 January 2004; 31 August 2006.

Go to South African Theatre/Bibliography

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