Mark Dornford-May
DORNFORD-MAY, Mark (1955- ) is a British-born South African theatre and film director. [1]
Contents
Biography
Born in Yorkshire and brought up in Chester.
He is married to the opera singer, actress and writer Paulina Malefane. Their daughter is actress Chumisa Dornford-May.
In 2024, he founded Ensemble ‘84, a theatre company for County Durham as a sister company to Isango Ensemble.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As producer
Dornford-May has been attached to three companies in South Africa:
- South African Academy of the Performing Arts/renamed Dimpho di Kopane (co-founded with musical director Charles Hazlewood, 2000)
- Isango Portobello (co-founded with Paulina Malefane and producer Eric Abraham, 2006-2010)
- Isango Ensemble (co-founded with Paulina Malefane (2011-)
Some sources online, including Isango Ensemble's website, attribute most, if not all, of Dornford-May's work in South Africa to Isango Ensemble, but sources from 2010 show that Isango Ensemble was established once The Fugard Theatre ended Isango Portobello's occupancy at the venue in 2010 following poor box office takings and claims of 'financial irregularities'. It was also suggested in the press that Dornford-May's relationship with Dimpho di Kopane also ended problematically with Darnford-May and Paulina Malefane's resignations coming amid financial inquiries.
As director
2000: The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso (Spier Festival in collaboration with Broomhill Opera Company).
2001: U-Carmen ((Dimpho di Kopane))
2002: The Beggar's Opera (Dimpho di Kopane)
2004: New York Season: The Beggar's Opera, The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso, Ikumkanikazi yeKhephu, U-Carmen (all Dimpho di Kopane))
2005: U-Carmen eKhayelitsha (film)
2006: Son of Man (film, Dimpho di Kopane)
2007: The Magic Flute - Impempe Yomlingo (Isango Portobello)
2008: The Magic Flute - Impempe Yomlingo (Isango Portobello)
2010: The Magic Flute - Impempe Yomlingo (Isango Portobello)
2010: Aesop’s Fables (Isango Portobello)
2010: The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – Izigwili Ezidlakazelayo (Isango Portobello)
2013: Unogumbe – Noye’s Fludde (film, Isango Ensemble)
2015: Breathe Umphefumlo (film, Isango Ensemble)
Other productions for Isango Ensemble (dates unknown) include: Der Silbersee, A Christmas Carol – iKrismas Kherol, , La Boheme – Abanxaxhi, Venus and Adonis, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Man of Good Hope, SS Mendi – Dancing the Death Drill, St. Matthew Passion, Treemonisha.
Sources
https://amp-worldwide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Treemonisha_Info-Deck.pdf
David Smith. 'All-black South African acting company evicted from theatre'. The Guardian. 23 November 2010.
https://brandsouthafrica.com/109109/international-news/ucarmen-ekhayelitsha/
'A real-life drama at the Fugard'. Mail & Guardian. 13 December 2010.
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