Olga Racster

Also known as the Baroness de Wagstaffe and Treble Violl. Writer and critic. She had studied at the Brussels Conservatoire, and had been a contributor to Grove’s Dictionary of Music. Came to South Africa from London in 1910 for her health, and became the dramatic and music critic for The Cape Times under the nom de plume Treble Violl. Later moved to Johannesburg to review films for The Rand Daily Mail. In collaboration with Jessica Grove Jessica Grave she wrote two one-act plays. War was published by the Cape Times Limited in 1914, while From German West was written in 1916. She is best known for her history of drama in the Cape entitled Curtain Up! (Cape Town: Juta and Company, 1951) and the article on the Performing Arts in South Africa in the Department of Information’s South African Yearbook [**?].(Swan Press, 19**-19**)

As the Baroness de Wagstaffe she and Jessica Grave also helped restore the grave of Dr James Barry in Kensall Green, London.

Sources

Gosher, 1988;

Sowden, 1962;

Merrington, 2009

Return to ESAT Personalities R

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to Main Page