Eghard van der Hoven

(19**-) Actor and highly regarded theatre administrator. Born in *** He married Tilana Hanekom. Joined the Hendrik Hanekom Company in 19** as a juvenile lead, billed as “South Africa’s Laurence Olivier”. Played lead roles in ***, ***. Later joined National Theatre Organisation as actor??? and organiser of tours. When NTO closed down and the Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal (PACT) was founded, he became head of the drama company. Under his guidance and that of his successors (Mannie Manim and Francois Swart) this company was to develop in perhaps the best ensemble the country has seen. In 19** he became director of PACT, a position he held till he retired in 19**. He then returned to acting (e.g. as the father in Deon Opperman’s highly regarded political play Stille Nag (19**) and delivering a number of prominent television performances). Also became a popular columnist, commentator and consultant on arts matters. VAN DER HOVEN, Eghard. He took over from B. Breytenbach as director of PACT. He starred in Deon Opperman’s Stille Nag at the Adcock-Ingram Theatre in 1989. VAN DER HOVEN, Eghard, Skrikkeljaar, Ugo Betti (Alewyn Lee) (vertaal), Berdine Grünewald, Gerrit Wessels, Mathilde Hanekom, San de Lange, Louis/e/a Aucamp, Reenen van Niekerk, Salie Vermaak, Robert Mohr (regie), Doreen Graves (kostuums), Frank Graves (dekor), 1958.

Sources

See Du Toit, 1988 [TH, JH]; Tucker, 1997

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