James Ngcobo

James Ngcobo (19**-). Actor, director.

Biography

James Ngcobo, from Kwamashu, Durban, started his acting career on stage in 1989. He joined and trained with NAPAC’s Loft Theatre Company, Durban in 1989, working with them for three years before moving to Johannesburg in the early '90s. He was initially drawn to theatre after reading Shakespeare's plays, specifically The Merchant of Venice. He remembers that the play pulled him instantly into the world of drama.

Career

He did wide ranging professional work for NAPAC, the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, the Market Theatre and the Baxter Theatre.

James has also worked in England for Birmingham Rep. Especially adept at comedy.

He took over from Malcolm Purkey as artistic director at the Market Theatre in 2013.

As actor

Among the plays he toured with are A Nativity, Horn of Sorrow, Three Musketeers, Moll Flanders, Flat Spin, Spring Awakening and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Other productions include The Circus Adventure (1994), The Good Woman of Sharkville, (1996), Robin's A Cruise-Ou (1997), La Cage aux Folles (1997), Talk Radio (1998), Five Guys Named Moe (1999), Ways of Dying (1999), Happy Natives (2002), Whole in One (2003).

He played the role of Vuyo in Glassroots (2000) and acted in The Pen by Monde Mayephu, directed by Fiona Ramsay at the Laager 11 Feb-9 March 2003, Green Man Flashing (2004).

Play it Again featuring singer/actor James Ngcobo.

As director

In 2005 he debuted as director with an adaptation of Es'kia Mphahlele’s short story, The Suitcase, starring Mbulelo Grootboom.

He directed his adaptation of journalist Fred Khumalo's autobiographical book (2006) Touch My Blood at the Market Theatre and National Arts Festival 2009. He directed Nongogo at the Laager, 2013.

Directed The Lion and the Jewel (2008), The Amen Corner by James Baldwin, directed by James Ngcobo, Laager Theatre, 2007-2008, Thirst, written and directed by James Ngcobo, Market Theatre, 2008, Bopha! (2012), Boesman and Lena (2012), The Colored Museum 2014.

Directed the musical production Songs of Migration.

Awards,etc.

Winner Vita (National), award year 1997 Ngcobo, James : `La Cage au Folles' [Tonight/FNB Vita Award for Comedy

One of Ngcobo's favourite roles won him a Vita Award for best actor in a I tomedyin 1997. That was for his role as Jacob, a gay man in La Cage aux Folies, directed by , Janice Honeyman.

Nominated Naledi 2009 New SA play Thirst (James Ngcobo)

Nominated Naledi 2010 ames Ngcobo: Master Harold and the boys.

Nominated Fleur du Cap 2013 Best director: James Ngcobo (Boesman & Lena)

He has often been nominated for awards in this category and in 1997 won The Star Tonight! Award and a National Vita Award for his role as “Jacob” in La Cage aux Folles (The Civic Theatre).

Sources

Various entries in the NELM catalogue.

Interview with Nokuthula Mazibuko, City Press, 1 October 2006.

TVSA [1].

Homann & Maufort 2015. pp 363-370 (Interview).

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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