John Maytham
MAYTHAM, John (1955- ) is a South African actor, director, broadcaster and writer for stage, film and television.
Contents
Biography
Born in the Eastern Cape. He spent some time pursuing a medical career.
Training
Graduated from Rhodes University Drama Department in 1977.
Career
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
He was the first actor on the stage at the beginning of the first play, King Lear, of the first Grahamstown Festival in 1974.
As a student he had roles in Waiting for Godot, Six Characters in Search of a Author, The Relapse, As You Like It, and directed Orison.
As professional actor
On stage John has appeared in productions such as Othello (Maynardville 1982), The Front Page (PACT 1984), Vereeniging, Vereniging (PACT 1984), The Importance of Being Earnest (CAPAB 1988), A Night in November (2003).
He starred in Graham Wright’s Baxter Theatre production of Steven Berkoff’s Decadence together with Bo Petersen (replacing Fiona Ramsay and Henry Goodman who had played the roles in Cape Town) with direction by Ron Smerczak at the Alhambra Theatre, Durban and Wits Theatre in 1984.
John gave a highly acclaimed performance in Steven Berkoff's West at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.
He starred in Keith Grenville’s Not About Heroes, for Volute Productions at the Baxter Theatre and Upstairs at the Market in 1986.
He helped shape and acted in Maishe Maponya’s Dirty Work, and played “Major Whitebeard” in Maponya’s Gangsters (both 1984).
He starred in Via Dolorosa in 2000 and A Night in November in 2003.
As director
He directed Nicholas Ellenbogen in his play Precious Remnants in July 1983. Around this time, he successfully directed The Bicycle Riders at the Market Theatre.
He directed a UCT production of Blithe Spirit in 1989.
In later years John became a popular radio broadcaster with his own shows, including host of the Afternoon Drive on 567 CapeTalk and the Sunday Breakfast Show on CapeTalk and Radio 702.
Awards, etc
Sources
Tucker, 1997. 426, 438, 451.
National Arts Festival programme, 2000.
Various entries in the NELM catalogue.
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