Carel Trichardt

Carel Trichardt (1938-) is a renowned and loved Afrikaans actor (stage, film and TV), director, drama lecturer and activist for performers’ rights.

Biography

Born and had his primary schooling in Johannesburg, then the family moved to Rustenberg where he began participating in eistedfodd and other events, and went on to take elocution lessons. He finished high school in Pretoria, and went to the University of Natal Drama Department, Durban, where he met Petru Wessels, who was to become his wife. They have three children.

His contribution to South African Theatre, film, media and performance.

As actor

For the stage

In 1963 he was one of the first four people appointed to the Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC), and the only actor.

Joined the NTO Youth Company in 196*[**??], later joined the PACT Youth Company, moving on to the main company in 19**.

Among Trichardt's most memorable stage performances are …. ???****, "Oubaas Menge" in P.G. du Plessis’s award-winning Die Nag van Legio (1969), *** in Athol Fugard’s Dimetos (197* at The Space) **** He played Shylock in an Afrikaans translation of The Merchant of Venice, directed by Anna Neethling-Pohl, for TRUK in 1969. He starred in Die Kersietuin (Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard) directed by Robert Mohr, with David van der Merwe, Rika Sennett and Wilna Snyman for PACT in 1979.

In film, radio and TV

As lecturer

In 19** appointed lecturer in acting and film studies in the Drama Department, University of Pretoria, a position he held till his retirement in 200*.

An activist for the rights of the actor, he was inter alia an active member and later chairman of the South African Film and Theatre Union (SAFTU), as well as chairman of the Theatre Benevolent Fund (TBF) for a number of years. His other passion is the cause of the Afrikaans language in professional theatre, serving on numerous advisory committees and organisations.

In 199* he and his wife, actress Petru Wessels, opened a small venue called Die Teaterhuisie in Moerdyk Street, Pretoria, close by the Breytenbach Theatre, to perform Afrikaans works.