Rajesh Gopie

(19**-) Actor, playwright, director on stage, film, TV and radio.

Biography and training

Born in Natal, he trained at the University of Natal, obtaining a B.A. in English, Drama and History. After his studies, he lived in England for a year and upon returning to South Africa opened the solo play, Out of Bounds, which has gone on to become an international hit.

In 2004 did an intensive course on Shakespeare at Oxford. In 2013 he was awarded the Oppenheimer Scholarship to pursue post-graduate studies in London and completed his Masters in Actor training and coaching at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2014.

In 201* he became the Artist/Scholar- in-Residence in the Wits School of Arts/Division of Dramatic Arts.

Career in South African performing arts

As actor roles in Be Proud, Be Yourself (19**), Out of Bounds (1999), The Coolie Odyssey (2002), The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife (20**),The Chimp Project (20**), Romeo and Juliet (20**), Back to the Faith (20**), Mahatma vs Gandhi (20**), The Pinter Sketches (20**), The Wiz (20**), Hamlet (playing the lead. Baxter Theatre, 2005 – dir Janet Suzman), *.

As writer has produced Out of Bounds (1999), Be Proud, Be Yourself Out of Bounds (2001), The Coolie Oddessey (2002), Mahatma-Madiba (20**), Marital Bliss (20**), Too Close for Comfort (2005?*).

As director he has done Yerma (2015)

As TV actor has had roles in Zero Tolerance, SOS, Madam and Eve and Generations

He has also done international film work.

Sources

CV of Kriben Pillay

Rajesh's important Durban 'breyani', The Mercury, April 6 2012

http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=37640

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