Michael Brooke

(19**-) Actor, producer, impressario and publisher. Son of Brian Brooke and Petrina Fry, who initially worked for his father’s company as actor and manager. Later, in 1972, he founded The Limelight Publications, which published the hugely influential casting directory the South African Casting Directory from 1973 onwards (renamed The Limelight in 1975/6), and the equally useful Contacts, a directory for the performing arts industry. In 1985 it also published The Breytie Book, a book of essays on SA theatre, dedicated to P.P.B. Breytenbach and in 1989, My Personal Star, the autobiogrpahy of his father, Brian Brooke. In 1998, he sold the company to Barbara Entressangle, who had been with the company for 10 years. Michael was also a co-director (with Gay Brooke) of Michael Brooke (Pty) Ltd., theatrical management consultants and member of the South African Association of Theatrical Managements.