Bill Brewer

(19**-1984) Actor, radio personality and theatre and film critic. Working for the Sunday Times, he was one of the most influential national theatre critics of the 1950s and 1960s, not only writing reviews but a regular column as well. As stage actor prformed in revue, cabaret, plays, pantomime, musicals and one man shows over the years. He made his first appearance for the Johannesburg REPS in Dear Charles in 1955. Other roles: The Desperate Hours (produced by Taubie Kushlick at His Majesty’s in association with ACT, 1955), Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (Australian comedy-drama by Ray Lawler, NTO, 1958)Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (NTO, 1958), Hugo Keleti’s Variety Under the Stars series (at the Plastic Theatre, which showcased light local entertainment), The Seagull (Upstairs Theatre at the Market Theatre, 1976), Trevor Griffiths’ Comedians (Market Theatre, 1976), **. As radio actor he and his wife Fiona Fraser (??*) long had a popular radio programme entitled ***. Also did films, including The Hellions (1961) The Diamond Walkers (1965), The Jackals (1967), Oupa For Sale (1968) Sandy the Seal (1969) and the 1974 Roger Moore film, Gold.

Performed in The Comedians, The Cat and the Canary, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (as “Mayor Pointdexter” and “Senator Wingwoah”). Did dinner theatre at Nederburg Restaurant in Johannesburg, where he performed in Letters of Love, Lust and Loving.