Ria Olivier
Ria Olivier (19**-2005). Actress, speech teacher and director.
Contents
Biography
She was married to Fred le Roux. She died in September 2005.
Career
She started her acting career performing for the Barend Fourie Geselskap, an Afrikaans touring company. She went on to become an actress for André Huguenet and Wena Naudé. Also a speech teacher for the Akademie vir Dramakuns in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, later went on to teach speech at and direct plays the Stellenbosch University Drama Department and influence a large number of teachers and performers.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
At the start of her career ahe performed for the Barend Fourie Geselskap which began its tour in Caledon on 6 April 1934, playing Sy Pa se Skuld ("His Father's Fault/Debt") by D.P. du Toit. Among her other roles were in By die ou Meulstroom (1938), (1938), Die Kwaksalwer (1939).
After moving to Cape Town she has appeared in Die Vroue van Troje (as Hekabe, 1944), Die Verterende Vuur (1946), Romeo en Jeanette (NTO 1960), Jonkvrou Edelwater (as Mevrou Wang, 1962).
As director she worked on productions of Ek Onthou vir Mamma (K.A.T. 1948), Periandros van Korinthe (1955 at the Little Theatre, Cape Town as well as a UTS production in 1972), Voëlvry (assistant director, CAPAB 1967).
During her years at the Stellenbosch University Drama Department Ria directed Die Pluimsaad Waai Ver (1969), Legende van die Liefde (1970), Germanicus (1971), The Double Face of Love (assistant director, 1971), Die Huis van Bernarda Alba (1973), Ses Personasies op soek na 'n Skrywer (also appearing as Madama Pace, 1974), Kanna hy kô Hystoe (1975), Die Beer (1975), Vrede Tuis (1975), Die Goue Kring (1976), Die Mal Vrou van Chaillot (1977), Filumena (1982).
She produced a UTS production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1975.
Awards, etc.
She received a Three Leaf Award for Ses Personasies op Soek na 'n Skrywer in 1974.
Sources
Theatre programmes of some of the productions.
Tribute published in Die Burger, 24 September 2005.
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