Michal Grobbelaar

(19**-2002) Actor, theatre technician, theatre manager.

Became the first director of the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, which he had helped to design, serving from its opening in 1962 until his retirement in 1992.

As an actor: Played "Marcellus" in an Afrikaans production of Hamlet in 1947. Siegfried Mynhardt directed and it was staged at His Majesty's Theatre. Also starring André Huguenet as the Prince of Denmark.

GROBBELAAR, Michal. (19**-2003) Influential theatre administrator, publicity man, director, technician and actor. Started with **. Joined the National Theatre Organisation in 1950 as a member of the National Theatre Organisation bilingual company for Candida and Oupa Brompie (in the latter he played two roles). Initially a technician and the organisation's publicity officer,later became Technical Manager and Production Manager. He was the driving force and works manager behind the conversion of the old Harmony Hall into the National Theatre (later the Breytenbach Theatre) in Pretoria, doing much of the work himself with the help of the technical staff. *** He continued as actor on stage, film and TV, and roles included ****. He also directed a number of plays for the National Theatre Organisation, i.a. in **, Die Vonkel in haar oë! - 'n Spel van my kontrei (Beukes, 1960),* . Was a co-founder and first President of the South African Institute of Theatre Technology (SAITT) (1969-19**) and a founding(?*) member of the South African Association of Theatre Managements.?* In 19** he became the first and long-time director of the Johannesburg Civic Theatre. * In 19** he finally retired to Onrus/Betty's Bay, where he died in 2002 (2003).

GROBBELAAR, Michal. Former executive director of the Civic Theatre from its opening in 1962 until his retirement in 1992. Played Marcellus in an Afrikaans production of Hamlet in 1947. Siegfried Mynhardt directed and it was staged at His Majesty's Theatre. Also starring André Huguenet as the Prince of Denmark. He was chairman of the SAATM from 1970 to 1982 when Des Lindberg took over. He was the chairman of a group called A Teater which took over the lease of the Intimate Theatre in 1983. Their first production was Patrick Mynhardt’s The Boy from Bethulie.

Naledi Theatre Awards 2003 Lifetime achievement in theatre.

Sources

A funeral service programme for Michal Jacobus Grobbelaar on 30 August 2002 held by NELM: [Collection: FARMER, Anthony]: 2007. 18. 23. 61.

Return to ESAT Personalities G

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to Main Page