Mees Xteen
South African actor (1944-2003).
Contents
Biography
Born Stage Machiel Eksteen in Boshof in the Orange Free State. Schooling at Grey College, Bloemfontein. Died at the age of 58 of cirrhosis of the liver in Senekal in the Orange Free State. His first role as a student actor at the University of Stellenbosch Drama Department was that of Mees in Op Hoop van Seën by Herman Heyermans in 1964. He adopted the name as a lifelong stage name and changed the spelling of his surname to Xteen.
Training
Studied at University of Stellenbosch Drama Department, 1960s under Fred Engelen, Tine Balder, Jocelyn de Bruyn and Ben Dehaeck.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As an administrator
Was head of drama at SWAPAC in Windhoek, Namibia from 19** to 19**.
As a stage actor
His many roles include:
1974 and 1976: Etienne Roux in Die Ryk Weduwee, CAPAB.
1983: Vyand! (Afrikaans translation of Enemy! by Robin Maugham) for SWAPAC, directed by Johann van Heerden, with Dawid Minnaar in the other role in the two-hander drama.
1987: Die Vlindervanger (Afrikaans translation of The Collector by John Fowles/David Parker) for SWAPAC, directed by Johann van Heerden.
1998: Tonight Neither Hamlet by German playwright Rainer Lewandowski during German Cultural Week in Cape Town Oct 1998.
1999: Onder die Brug with Jan Ellis, Anthea Thompson in Momentum Theatre, 14-24 April 1999 and Oude Libertas. Directed by Shirley Ellis.
Film and Television
Film roles include: Vlug van die Seemeeu (1972); Eendag op 'n Reëndag (1975); Yankee Zulu (1993); Lipstiek Dipstiek (1994).
A role in the TV series Arende.
Awards, etc
Awarded the SWAPAC Prize and the Namibian National Theatre's Nederburg Prize for stage acting and directing.
Sources
Cape Argus 27 Aug 1998
Beeld 2 Maart 1999
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