Cobus Rossouw
'Cobus Rossouw (19**-) One of the foremost stage and film actors of his generation, stage director, administrator.
Contents
Biography
He is married to actress Sandra Kotzé. Their daughter Wilmien Rossouw is also an actress.
Youth
Training
He studied at the University of Cape Town’s Little Theatre in the 1950s.
Career
He started his professional career in 1954 at NTO. In 1958-9 he went on a study tour of Europe, where he was exposed to modern practices. * On his return in 1959, he joined Jannie Gildenhuys and Leonora Nel in National Theatre Organisation's NTO Youth Theatre group. They began touring in the Cape in August 1959, with works they devised and put on as a group, continuing in the Transvaal in 1960. By 1961 two groups had been formed for the two provinces. In 1963 the bulk of these groups became part of the Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal (PACT) drama company.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Some of the many productions in which he has appeared are Die Wit Perde van Rosmersholm 1954, Bohaai oor 'n Otjie, Gekonkel in die Nag, Periandros van Korinthe (as Arioon), Bitter Einde (as Piet Els), Moeder Hanna (as Oupa Harmse) 1959, Die Jakkalsstreke van Scapino (as Silvester), Christine, Die Eerste Oogopslag, Faan se Trein, Die Grootkanonne, Vat hom, Flaffie!, Pa, Maak vir my 'n Vlieër Pa, [Arms and the Man]], The Proposal, Uncle Vanya, Rattle of a Simple Man, Tartuffe, Wie de drommel is Paskwaal?, Die Selfmoordenaar, Die Twisappel, Die Wildsboudjie, Hond se Gedagte,
Shakespeare productions in Afrikaans include the title roles in Richard III (1968/9) and Hamlet (1973), Twaalfde Nag and Koning Lear as Lear in 1971.
Doen ook Dieselfde Pad, Die Goue Seun, Uys Krige, KKNK, 2002.
He acted in several productions of Die Ryk Weduwee
He directed Boesman en Lena for PACOFS, Plaston: DNS-Kind, Twaalfde Nag 1975.
Awards, etc
Three Leaf Arts Award for Best Actor for his performances in the title roles in Richard III and Tartuffe in 1968.
Sources
Die Les/Moeder Hanna theatre programme, 1959.
Teater SA, 1(3), 1969.
Die Burger, 18 August 2009.
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