Alison Cassels

(19**-) Actress.

Biography

Born in Hull in the UK. She and her husband came to South Africa in 1982 because hehad obtained a job in the Orange Free State. They lived about 40 miles outside Welkom in the Free State –and having lived about 40 miles outside London, it was a bit of a culture shock. But we spent two very happy years there, before moving to Tongaat in 1984.”

Her debut on the Durban stage was playing Teresa Salieri in the then-Napac’s Amadeus. “It was a wonderful cast but, sadly, the last drama in the UK, emigrated to Durban, South Africa, in 1982.

Training

She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London before settling in South Africa in 1982.

Career

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

Her theatre appearances include roles in Amadeus, Hamlet, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead for NAPAC; Equus and My Fair Lady for the Playhouse Company; Othello for the Actors' Co-operative; The Importance of Being Earnest , Steel Magnolias, Dangerous Liaisons, Winnie the Pooh, The Wizard of Oz and Wit (2009) for the KickstArt Company; The Road to Mecca (2007); Agnes of God for Fetdiva Productions; Abnormal Loads (2011-2012); Dear Mrs Steyn (2014)

She has also worked extensively on radio for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), with roles in many serials and dramas.

She has appeared in two films, Lamborene and Au Pair.

Awards, etc

She was nominated by The Mercury Durban Theatre Awards (TMDTA)as best supporting actress for her roles as Mrs Pearce in My Fair Lady and Emilia in Othello. Won the Vita Award for best supporting actress 2002 for The Importance of Being Earnest, In 2007 she received a TMDTA for best actress award for her role as Helen Martin in Athol Fugard’s The Road to Mecca.