Alec Witkin

Alec Witkin (1907-1961). Actor, performer and impressionist.

Also known as Afrique.

Biography

Born Alexander Witkin in Johannesburg on 2 February 1907, he was the son of Russian Jews who emigrated to South Africa in the 1890s. His brother was Alec Witkin. Originally intending to study law, he gave this up to train as a singer for five years, making his debut in 1928. In December 1930 he went to London and became a member of the Vic-Wells Opera Company in March 1931.

In 1934 he made his first appearance in vaudeville, using the stage name Afrique, with impersonations ranging from the Duke of Windsor to Richard Tauber and Paul Robeson. He from then on performed under that name, and went on to be constantly employed in the West End revue and variety circuit. He first appeared at the London Palladium in 1936. He also became a celebrated impersonator on radio.

He appeared as a vaudeville performer in the film Discoveries[1] (1939).

He was married to Jean Witkin (Jean Harris), and they had four children. His daughter Jacqui Alexander became an actress based in London.

He died in Lambeth, London on 16 December 1961, aged 54, and was buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery.

Contribution to South African Theatre, Film, Media and Performance

He made one of his earliest appearances as a singer before leaving the country, performing in the Sir Harry Graumann Lodge, Benoni with Barbara Cowen.

He was in the cast of Loyalties (1926), Sunshine Land, Standard Theatre, Johannesburg in 1927, The Queen was in the Parlour (1928), Belinda (1929), The Second Mrs Tanqueray (1929).

In 1938 he toured South Africa with Larry Adler, appearing inter alia at the at the Empire Theatre in Johannesburg.