Noel Morgan

Noel Morgan (circa 1927-2010) was one of the most successful and busiest theatrical directors in Port Elizabeth's amateur theatre. She was also an actress and an administrator.

Biography

She died in Port Elizabeth in January 2010 aged 83.

Youth

Her love of theatre started at the Holy Rosary Convent school, Bird Street, Port Elizabeth, which she attended.

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

She was one of the founding members of the now-defunct Catholic Dramatic Society in Port Elizabeth in the 1950s.

Her first role in Port Elizabeth as an actress began with her portrayal of a military nurse in Will Jamieson's production of The Hasty Heart in 1955.

She also directed the thriller Dead on Nine in 1961.

In 1969 she won the PEMADS "Actress of the Year" award for her performance in See How They Run in the Little Theatre.

Her Life With Father was voted the highlight of the year on PEMADS' 1973 programme and the same year her production of South Pacific for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, was called back to the Port Elizabeth Opera House by box office demand.

The 1974 production of The Gondoliers, which she directed at the invitation of the Collegiate School for Girls, was her third production with the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society and the 14th of her career.

Other shows she did with PEMADS include Mrs Willie, The Magistrate, The Death Trap, The Diary of Anne Frank, Separate Tables, They're Playing Our Song and 84 Charing Cross Road.

At the time of her death, she was honorary president of the Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society.