Albert Maritz

(14/04/1960-) Stage, film, radio and television actor, television presenter, director and editor, theatre impressario, dramatist and journalist.

Biography

Born and schooled in in Belville, South Africa. Son of Dawie Maritz, he grew up in radio studios, behind stages and in his dad's dark room developing rolls of film. A member of the Bellville Amateur Toneelgroep (BAT), his first appearance on stage with his father, Dawie Maritz at the age of twelve. Studied drama at the Akademie vir Dramakuns in Cape Town (1980) and the Drama Department, University of Stellenbosch (1981-1983), then obtained an Higher Education Diploma from UNISA (1995). He became a teacher, then an actor, a director and a producer.

From its inception he has been a commentator on theatre matters for the online journal LitNet.

Stage career

On contract for PACT (1984-85), and from 1986 becomes a prominent freelance actor for stage, radio and TV. In 1998 founds Impresario (trading as Allie-se- Produksies), his own theatre production company, producing musical shows (his clients include Johannes Kerkorrel, Koos Kombuis, Nataniël and The Jazz Pioneers), formal theatre projects and theatre for development programmes.

Actor

As stage actor has roles in i.a. Deon Opperman’s critically acclaimed Stille Nag (1991), Die Sakeman van Venesië (1991), Charles Fourie's one-man piece Stander (1999), Breyten Breytenbach's controversial Die Toneelstuk (2001), Yerma (2002).

Often nominated for awards for radio, TV and stage, including the Artes Award, AA Vita Award and the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award.

Producer and director

As stage producer and director responsible i.a. for Joernaal van Jorik (1987), Adam Small's Kanna hy kô hystoe (2003), Melt Brink's Maljan onder die Hoenders (2003), Nico Burger’s Botspoppe (2004),* Deon Opperman’s More is 'n Lang Dag (2008), 'n Seder val in Waterkloof (2011), Die Van Aardes van Grootoor (2013), Playland (Fugard, 2014). Also produced a number of educational and development programmes, including Prokara, Survivor, Stop the tears (by Albert Maritz & Noel Oostendorp, with Noel Oostendorp & Stephanie Hough. Dir: Albert Maritz, Procare & Impresario) and Lang Tentakels, all aimed at young people in the Cape.

A major contribution has been his attempts to revive interest in classical Afrikaans works of the past, such as Pieter Fourie's Faan se Trein (KKNK and Aardklop - Most popular production 2005) and Faan se Stasie (KKNK, Aardklop, Innibos, Artscape and Durbanville 2006), Taraboemdery (Innibos Best Artist 2010), 'n Seder val in Waterkloof (Innibos - Most popular production 2011), Mooi Maria (Aardklop Best director, Best actress, Best Afrikaans production 2011), Die Rebellie van Lafras Verwey (Fleur du Cap Best director, Best Actor en Most popular production 2011), Die Van Aardes van Grootoor (Innibos, KKNK and Durbanville), Playland (The Fugard Theatre, 2014).

Film, Radio and Television

At various times presenter, director, editor and scriptwriter for television (SABC's TSS TV, NNTV, SABC 3), and in 1997 editor and host for Sport and Art with Punt Radio in Cape Town.

Also seen on film and TV in a number of single dramas and well-known series, (e.g. Galery, Torings, the highly regarded Arende, Africa P.I., Egoli, Isidingo and The hunt for the man in the moon.).

He appears in films opposite international film stars, but as an actor he is best known as Herman in the TV series' Konings and Torings, and for the commercial with the trunk of an elephant around his neck and the man of many parts in the amusing "Met Eish" ("with Ice") brandy adverts.

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