Pieter Geldenhuys
Pieter Geldenhuys (191*-). Actor.
Contents
Biography
He was married to the actress Jane Potgieter in the early 1960s.
Training
Studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London and ballet with Dulcie Howes and then in London.
Career
He has been active in theatre since 1935 including early days at the Opera house in Cape Town. In 1940 he joined the André Huguenet company and subsequently toured the Union with the first Gwen ffrangçon-Davies / Marda Vanne Company company. Joined the entertainment unit during World War I, touring Egypt, Italy and Austria, then for three years in Scotland followed by some years in the West End. Spent many years between South Africa and Europe, worked for NTO and Wena Naudé's company and has been for a considerable period under contract to CAPAB acting in both English and Afrikaans. He has also worked for PACOFS, PACT and NAPAC.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
His first role was in Paul Rubens's musical comedy Tonight's the Night [1] which was performed in the Pretoria Opera House in 1935.
He had roles in Point of Departure 1952, Volpone (NTO 1952), Twelfth Night (NTO 1953), an Afrikaans production of The Happiest Days of Your Life (NTO 1955), , Tobias and the Angel (NTO 1955), Verkiesing Sonder Politiek! (NTO 1955), Bitter Einde (NTO 1956-7), Germanicus (NTO 1958), The School for Scandal (NTO 1958), Die Jakkalsstreke van Scapino (NTO 1958), 'n Bruid in die Môre (NTO 1959).
Sponono (1963), Die Hemelbed (CAPAB 1963), Twaalfde Nag (PACT 1964), Modes van Agter, Skuld van Voor (PACT 1964), Twelve Angry Men (Alexander Theatre 1965), Played “the father” in Strinberg’s Die Vader (CAPAB 1969), Die Koning Sterf (CAPAB 1969), ‘n Skip is Ons Beloof (CAPAB 1969), “Titus” in an Afrikaans production of Titus Andronicus (CAPAB 1970), The Emperor (PACOFS 1970), “Caliban” in Die Storm and “Dr. Finache” in Feydeau’s Hond se Gedagte (CAPAB 1971), Die Twee Laksmanne (CAPAB 1971), Oom Wanja (CAPAB 1972), The Tempest (Maynardville January 1973), Die Huwelik van Mnr. Mississippi (CAPAB 1973), Meneer Puntila en sy Kneg Matti (CAPAB 1973), Die Ryk Weduwee (CAPAB 1974 and 1976), The Cherry Orchard (Baxter Company 1978).
Die Spook van Donkergat (film) released in 1973.
Awards, etc
Sources
Die Koning Sterf theatre programme, 1969.
The Tempest theatre programme, Maynardville January 1973.
SACD 1974.
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