Difference between revisions of "Steven Berkoff"
(Created page with "(19*-) British actor, director and dramatist. *** He starred in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Kafka’s ''Metamorphosis'' together with [[Henry Goo...") |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | (19*-) British actor, director and dramatist. *** | + | (19*-) British actor, director and dramatist. *** |
| + | Berkoff was born in London and studied drama and mime in London and Paris. In 1968 he formed the London Theatre Group that departed from mainstream theatre and started to evolve an innovative, more integrated theatrical language. Berkoff’s encounter with the mime artist Jacques le Coq in Paris was paramount to his career. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Berkoff’s plays, were first performed in Cape Town in the late seventies, and had local audiences responding with fervour. ''[[Decadence]]'' ran for 13 weeks at the [[Space Theatre]] in the early eighties and sold out at the [[Baxter’s Concert Hall]] before it was even transferred to the bigger venue. [[Graham Wright]] brought the [[Baxter]] production of his ''[[Decadence]]'' starring [[Bo Petersen]] and [[John Maytham]] (replacing [[Fiona Ramsay]] and [[Henry Goodman]] who had played the roles in Cape Town) with direction by [[Ron Smerczak]] to the [[Wits Theatre]] in 1984 after it ran at the [[Durban Alhambra]]. It has returned to local stages twice since the first production (which was directed by [[Fred Abrahamse]] and starred [[Fiona Ramsey]] and [[Henry Goodman]]). ''[[Metamorphosis]]'' broke all [[Space Theatre]] box office records and was their longest running play while ''[[Greek]]'', ''[[Kvetch]]'', ''[[Agamemnon]]'', ''[[West]]'' and ''[[East]]'' were performed at the [[Baxter Theatre]] over the years to captivated audiences. His ''[[Greek]]'', directed by [[Mavis Taylor]] was first staged at the [[Baxter]] and then at [[Upstairs]] in 1986. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | He came to South Africa to star in the [[Roundabout Theatre Company]]’s production of [[Kafka]]’s ''[[Metamorphosis]]'' together with [[Henry Goodman]], [[Fiona Ramsay]] and [[Ian Roberts]]. It was directed by [[Richard E. Grant]] and [[Mike O’Brien]] and staged at the [[Space Theatre]] (where it broke all attendance records) and the [[Market Theatre]] in 1980. In 2002 he again came to South Africa to perform in his own show ''One Man'' at the [[Baxter Theatre]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Other than his stage works, Berkoff is also a well-known face on movie and television screens. His film credits include A Clockwork Orange, Octopussy, Beverly Hills Cop, The Krays, The Passenger and Rambo. He has appeared in many television series including Star Trek, and La Femme Nikita. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
Return to [[ESAT Personalities B]] | Return to [[ESAT Personalities B]] | ||
Revision as of 09:29, 16 June 2012
(19*-) British actor, director and dramatist. *** Berkoff was born in London and studied drama and mime in London and Paris. In 1968 he formed the London Theatre Group that departed from mainstream theatre and started to evolve an innovative, more integrated theatrical language. Berkoff’s encounter with the mime artist Jacques le Coq in Paris was paramount to his career.
Berkoff’s plays, were first performed in Cape Town in the late seventies, and had local audiences responding with fervour. Decadence ran for 13 weeks at the Space Theatre in the early eighties and sold out at the Baxter’s Concert Hall before it was even transferred to the bigger venue. Graham Wright brought the Baxter production of his Decadence starring Bo Petersen and John Maytham (replacing Fiona Ramsay and Henry Goodman who had played the roles in Cape Town) with direction by Ron Smerczak to the Wits Theatre in 1984 after it ran at the Durban Alhambra. It has returned to local stages twice since the first production (which was directed by Fred Abrahamse and starred Fiona Ramsey and Henry Goodman). Metamorphosis broke all Space Theatre box office records and was their longest running play while Greek, Kvetch, Agamemnon, West and East were performed at the Baxter Theatre over the years to captivated audiences. His Greek, directed by Mavis Taylor was first staged at the Baxter and then at Upstairs in 1986.
He came to South Africa to star in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Kafka’s Metamorphosis together with Henry Goodman, Fiona Ramsay and Ian Roberts. It was directed by Richard E. Grant and Mike O’Brien and staged at the Space Theatre (where it broke all attendance records) and the Market Theatre in 1980. In 2002 he again came to South Africa to perform in his own show One Man at the Baxter Theatre.
Other than his stage works, Berkoff is also a well-known face on movie and television screens. His film credits include A Clockwork Orange, Octopussy, Beverly Hills Cop, The Krays, The Passenger and Rambo. He has appeared in many television series including Star Trek, and La Femme Nikita.
Return to ESAT Personalities B
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to Main Page
