Marko van der Colff
Marko van der Colff (1945-2025) was an actor, director, translator and novelist.
Contents
Biography
Born on 26 December, 1945, he matriculated at Jan van Riebeeck High School in Cape Town in 1964, then graduated from the University of Cape Town Drama Department where he studied under Rosalie van der Gucht and Robert Mohr.
He passed away on 20 December, 2025.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
His career as professional actor started in 1972 when he joined PACT in Ptretoria. In 1975 worked for PACOFS before joining CAPAB in 1976. He had a brief spell as actor for the South West Africa Performing Arts Council in 1980, before returning to CAPAB in 1981.
Over the course of his career he starred in productions like Anastasia, Die Drie Van Der Walts, Die Wonderwerk (1979), Die Nag van Legio, The Orange Earth (Baxter Theatre, 1978), Die Plaasvervangers, Kom terug, Klein Sheba (1981), Kinkels innie Kabel, Die Oresteia-Trilogie (1981), Othello (1982), Twaalfde Nag (1984), Taraboemdery, Die Seemeeu (1972), Curse of the Starving Class, Andorra, Lokval vir ‘n Eensame Man, Pase, The Fantasticks, Die Brandstigters, Kamer 99, Die Paddas (1977), The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969-1970), Die Hekse van Salem (PACOFS, 1982), as Abel Malan in Toorberg (Artscape, 2005).
He translated Athol Fugard's People are Living There into Afrikaans as Daar Leef Mense Daar. The play opened on 20 August 1982, directed by the translator for CAPAB. He also translated The Odd Couple as Die Onpaar Paar.,
Directed Charley se Tante (PACOFS 1978); Met Permissie Gesê, Vettie, Vettie (BAT 1994).
He wrote Good Bye Johnny (Theatre programme, NELM)
Marko has done much radio acting and also appeared in a number of film and television productions.
In 2023 his debut novel, Dieper as drome, was published by Boekdiva Uitgewers
Sources
Theatre programme for Goodbye Johnny NELM)
Sources of the various productions.
IMDb [1].
TVSA [2].
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