Jo Gevers
Jo Gevers (1932-2016) was an actor, director, and lecturer of drama.
Contents
Biography
Born J.J.C.G. (Jo) Gevers in Bree, Belgium, in 1932, and trained in Belgium.
He came to South Africa in 1962. He married Annatjie Vorster towards the end of 1965. Gevers returned to Belgium in 197* to continue teaching there.
Training
M. Dram. From University of Stellenbosch, 1964.
Career
Came to South Africa in 1962 to work with Fred Engelen and lecture at the University of Stellenbosch.
In 1966 became first professor and founder of the University of the Orange Free State Drama Department.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Directed university plays in Bloemfontein, but also for a variety of amateur and professional companies such as the UTB, the Shakespeare Circle and PACOFS. Among his most notable productions were Jakkalsstreke van Scapino (UTB 196*), Richard III (196*, in which he and his South African born wife Annatjie Vorster starred and he directed), Maria Stuart (196*) and Die Dubbele Adelaar (1968), Die Idioot .
He had a role in the PACOFS production of Die Soldateminnaars, 1965.
After his return to Belgium he came to South Africa in 1999 to direct ** for CAPAB at the Grahamstown Festival (?*).
Awards
Received the André Huguenet Award in the Free State for his role in Richard III, 1967.
Sources
Die Koning Sterf theatre programme, 1969.
"In Memoriam", Matieland October, 2016 (p. 37).
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