Alec Witkin

(19*-) Actor, performer and impressionist.

Married to Jean Witkin (Harris), and they had four children. His daughter Jacqui Alexander is an actress based in London.

Biography

Born Alexander Witkin in Johannesburg on 2 February 1907. Originally intending to study law, he gave this up to train as a singer for five years, making his debut in 1928. In December 1930 he went to London and became a member of the Vic-Wells Opera Company in March 1931.

In 1934 he made his first appearance in vaudeville, using the stage name Afrique, with impersonations ranging from the Duke of Windsor to Richard Tauber and Paul Robeson. He from then on performed under that name, and went on to be constantly employed in the West End revue and variety circuit. He first appeared at the London Palladium in 1936. He also became a celebrated impersonator on radio.

He made one film, Discoveries (1939).

Contribution to South African Theatre, Film, Media and Performance

He made one of his earliest appearances as a singer before leaving the country, performing in the Sir Harry Graumann Lodge, Benoni with Barbara Cowen.

He was in the cast of Sunshine Land, Standard Theatre, Johannesburg in 1927.

In 1938 he toured South Africa with Larry Adler, appearing inter alia at the at the Empire Theatre in Johannesburg.