Alvon Collison
Alvon Collison (circa 1942-2021). Actor, dancer and singer.
Contents
Biography
Alvon was born in Woodstock, Cape Town. During the 1950s he moved to Salisbury (now Harare, Zimbabwe) with his family, where he eventually started singing profesionally. He moved to Johannesburg when he was recruited by Joan Brickhill and Louis Burke for one of their extravaganzas.
Biography
He was born 25 April 1941. He was born in Woodstock. His mother, Angela was a mid-wife and his father, George a barman. Alvin's first job was at Holmes Motors and then Greatermans. At one stage he lived in Salisbury (Harare) and got involved with amateur theatre where Joan Brickhilldiscovered him and persuaded him to come to South Africa. He lived with his partner of 27 years, Faried Swartz.
He was born 25 April 1941. He was born in Woodstock. His mother, Angela was a mid-wife and his father, George a barman. Alvin's first job was at Holmes Motors and then Greatermans. At one stage he lived in Salisbury (Harare) and got involved with amateur theatre where Joan Brickhilldiscovered him and persuaded him to come to South Africa. He lived with his partner of 27 years, Faried Swartz.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performances
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, in 1986.He was also in South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar.
He received numerous awards including Cape Town metro Award, Naledi, Fleur de Cap, kykNET Fiësta.É
Sources
Die Rapport Weekliks, 31 January 2021
He died at his Milnerton, Cape Town, home on 22 January 2021 at the age of 79.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
He starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which was directed by John Hussey, choreographed by Geoffrey Sutherland and also starred Bruce Millar and Richard Loring for PACT at the Alexander Theatre in 1974. He replaced Richard Loring as the Narrator in another run of Joseph by PACT at His Majesty’s Theatre in 1976. To celebrate His Majesty’s 30th birthday Brickhill-Burke staged Follies Fantastique, starring Joan Brickhill, Collison and Beni Mason on 30 November 1976. Brickhill-Burke were responsible for the sets and costumes.
Played “Pharaoh” in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and performed in Follies Fantastique and Evita (as “Magaldi”). Produced, directed and starred in The Way it Was – With Elvis and Friends.
Awards
Won a Three Leaf Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Gallo Award for Best Musical Performance.
He won a Fleur du Cap Lifetime Achievement award, March 2018.
Sources
Tucker, 1997.
Limelight 1975/76; 1977/78; 1978/79; 1982/83.
Cape Argus, 18 February 2000.
Die Burger, 19 March 2018.
IOL [1].
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