Ralph Trewhela

TREWHELA, Ralph (1911-1983) Composer, lyricist, broadcaster, playwright and copyright specialist.

Biography

Career

Composed light music, notabaly some popular songs during the 2nd World War (e.g. "So Long Sarie" and "There's a Boy up North"). His book Song Safari (19**) traces the history of South African light music. Later worked for Gallo Records as administrator and a specialist on international copyright.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Wrote and composed a number of musical shows including Happy Landings (19**), Eldorado (Brooke Theatre, 1960), * He worked with Anthony Farmer and Adam Leslie as composer on Sextet (1957), Ever Since Eve (1958), and I Spy (1959).

His musical comedy Eldorado produced by the Wits Choral Society, 1978; presented by Brian Brooke with Elsa Fouche and Thora Phillips, 1960, Brooke Theatre.

Ever Since Eve, music and lyrics by RT, book by Anthony Framer and Ken Hooper, presented by Anthony Farmer in association with Howard Hooper (Pty) Ltd (1958 and 1959)

His musical Aladdin and the Magic Lamp performed by the Civic Theatre’s Marionette Company, July 1994, directed by Bess Finney.

I Spy first presented at the Library Theatre Johannesburg 13 May 1959.

Sources

Tucker, 1997.

AfricaWide database

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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