Christopher Consani

Christopher Consani (1944-) is an actor, writer and director.

Very often referred to as Chris Consani.

Biography

Trained at the University of Cape Town, and taught English at the Milnerton High School before studying drama with Robert Mohr at UCT in 1974.

After completing his drama studies he acted for PACOFS on Bloemfontein, before starting a freelance career in Johannesburg.

His own one-man play Vincent van Gogh: The Lark and the Crow, played six seasons in South Africa, and was acclaimed at the 1979 Edingburgh festival and played a season in New York in 1981. This led to a series of roles in New York where he also taught vocal technique and interpretation.

In 1985 he went back to teaching: in the Lower East Side, New York, then in England and in Italy.

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

Performed in Deathwatch (as “Le Franc” with PACOFS), Boerneef van Boplaas (as “Andries Harlekyn” with PACOFS), So Long vir Johnny (as “Stone” with PACOFS), Piekniek op die Slagveld (as "Zepu"), The Grand Ceremonial (as “Cavanosa”), The Damon Runyon Show (as “Runyon”), The Collector (“as Clegg”), Sweet Bird of Youth, A Murder is Announced (as “Edmund”, directed by Rex Garner) Vincent van Gogh: The Lark and the Crow.

He also had roles in We Bombed in New Haven (The Space in the 1970s), Malvolio in Macbeth, Sweet Bird of Youth.

In 1996 he presented a theatre reading of Primo Levi's [1] Auschwitz experience entitled If This is a Man, directed by Mark Graham, at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town. (See also the entry on the play Primo).

He was co-founder and co-director of Amstel Playwright of the Year Award.

Sources

SACD 1977/78; 1978/79; 1979/80.

The Collector programme notes, circa 1975.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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