Wilna Snyman
Wilna Snyman (1935-) Stage and TV actress. One of the foremost character actresses of the 1970s to the 1990s.
Contents
Biography
She was born in Kimberley on 14 September 1935.
Her autobiography Memoires was published in 2006. (ISBN 0620362634).
Youth
Training
She studied drama under Babs Laker.
Career
After four amateur productions for JAATS, NTO offered her a permanent appointment. Later she moved back to Cape Town, again studied under Babs Laker and did radio work for Suzanne van Wyk.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Performed in Maria Stuart, Ampie-oppie-Dickens, Die Seemeeu, Siener in die Suburbs, Die Vader.
Among her more prominent portrayals for PACT are Oom Wanja 1969. In 1976 she played ** in Vroue van Troje for the Market Theatre. She starred in François Swart’s production of ‘n Seder Val in Waterkloof in 1975. She starred in Barney Simon’s production of an Afrikaans translation of The Women of Troy at the Market Theatre in 1977. She starred in Die Kersietuin for PACT in 1979. She starred in Die Drie van der Walts in 1979. She starred in Filumena in 1981. She starred in an Afrikaans translation of The Lion in Winter in 1982, in The Maids at the Windybrow in 1987. She starred in Dieter Reible’s revival of The Lion in Winter in 1988.
She starred in Legends 1988, Stille Nag 1989, Dear Mrs Steyn October 1999 .
She had roles in Herman Steytler’s Vyf dogters, Die Teken and Stille Nag by Deon Opperman, Sweet Sorrows, Die Leeu in die Winter as Eleanor, Mis in 1994, Kanna hy kô hystoe, Anastasia, Die Vroue van Troje, Hamlet. Francois Swart (dir), First Monday in October, 1980, CAPAB. (First English role), Theodora, 1981, Bloedbruilof Aug. 1985, /'Don Juan onder die boere 1985.
On television she became nationally known for her role as “Madel” in the long-running and popular Afrikaans soap opera Sewende Laan (“Seventh Avenue”).
Awards, etc
She received a Best Actress award for her role in Kanna hy kô hystoe which was staged at the Alexander Theatre in 1974.
Won the Computicket Award for Best Actress in 1975, 1977 and 1978. Won a Rapport “Oscar” in 1979.
Nominee 1991 Snyman, Wilna in Dear Mrs Steyn (Johannesburg Repetory Players Award for best actress in a leading role in English)
Vita Award as Best Supporting Actress for her role in the PACOFS production of Gulls, 1992.
Sources
SACD 1973; 1977/78; 1978/79; 1979/80; 1980/81.
Tucker, 1997.
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