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 for two years, before moving to Tongaat, Natal, in 1984.

Training

She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Career

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

She made her debut on the Durban stage in Amadeus, for NAPC at the Alhambra Theatre. Her other theatre appearances include roles in 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 Theatre 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 three films, Lamborene, Schweitzer (1990), 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.