Don Maclennan

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Don Maclennan (9 December 1929 - 9 February 2009). Academic, poet, short-story writer, dramatist and actor.

Biography

Born in London but his parents immigrated to South Africa in 1938.

Training

He was educated at the University of the Witwatersrand and read Philosophy at Edinburgh University.

Career

He lectured in Philosophy and English at Wits University and University of Cape Town. He was later Senior Lecturer in English at Rhodes University.

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

He has indicated that his close interest in theatre is a direct result of his association with Athol Fugard. Founder and close associate of the Ikhwezi Players and the author of eight plays, all of which have been performed.

He directed and acted in The Mind Mirror staged i.a. at** and The Space, (1975)

Plays

Maclennan's plays include:

Job Mava (one-act play, co-written with Ikhwezi Players, perf 1972/3, pub 1980/81)

Celebration (one-act play, co-written with Ikhwezi Players, perf. Rhodes University 1966).

The Third Degree (one-act play, 1967)

A Winter Vacation, directed by Francois Swart for PACT at the Arena in 1970

An Enquiry into the Voyage of the Santiago, performed by the survivors

In the Dawn Wind (1970)

In Memoriam Oskar Wolberheim

The Great Wall of China

The Wake

Job Mava written and performed in 1972/3 by The Ikhwezi Players, published 1981/2

My Childhood (stage adaptation of Maxim Gorky's work, performed in 1975 by The Ikhwezi Players

Awards, etc

Sources

Gosher, 1988.

A Winter Vacation programme notes, 1970.

Tucker, 1997.

Obituary by Peter Vale, Sunday Times, 22 February 2009.


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