Fred le Roux

Fred le Roux (1913-1984). Professor of Drama, teacher, journalist, critic, theatre researcher, actor, translator.

Biography

Married a fellow teacher, Truida Pohl, in 1935, but they were divorced in 1940. Later married Ria Olivier (19**) and they had **. ****

Career

Started out as a teacher, became Die Burger's theatre reviewer in the 1930s. Since 1938 he acted regularly in radio plays. In 1967, on the death of Fred Engelen, he was appointed head of the Drama Department at the University of Stellenbosch.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Acted in Die Koopman van Venesië (for Fred Engelen, Little Theatre, Cape Town,1960), *

He acted in Die Vroue van Troje (ADK 1944), Germanicus, Die Goue Kring, Die Mal Vrou van Chaillot (1977), Periandros van Korinthe, Vergelegen, Die Verterende Vuur, Die Wintersprokie (1974), Die Pluimsaad Waai Vêr, Legende van die Liefde (1970).

He acted in several plays under the direction of Fred Engelen, i.a. Johanna die Soldaat van God, Juffrou Edelwater and Antigone (by Sophocles).

He was the translator into Afrikaans of Die Stasiebevelvoerder, Die Reënmaker, Ek Onthou vir Mamma, Die Dubbelbed, Piekniek op die Slagveld, Stemme, Ses Personasies op soek na 'n Skrywer.

In his period as head the Drama Department at the University of Stellenbosch, until his retirement in 1979, he continued doing a few major productions a year, often starring the staff. He also tried to set up a card-based documentation system for South African theatre performances and publications. Among these are **, **. Unfortunately this never came to fruition as a publication, and all that remains are the hundreds of cards in the archives of the Centre for Theatre and Performance Studies in Stellenbosch.

Sources

A tribute written by Rita Elferink, published in Die Burger, 24 April 1984.

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