Peter Krummeck
Peter Alan Krummeck (4 March 1947 - 9 November 2013) was a South African actor, theatre designer, director, writer, teacher, and activist, who won renown beyond South Africa in his one-man play Bonhoeffer. Pioneering the use of drama as a tool for reconciliation, he founded the African Community Theatre Service with Archbishop Desmond Tutu as patron.[1]
Early life and education
Krummeck was born in Johannesburg. He studied graphic design in East London, South Africa, and he achieved the National Diploma in Graphic Design with distinction in 1967. He was appointed studio manager at the Daily Dispatch newspaper in East London, under the editorship of Donald Woods, before moving to Cape Town in 1969.[1]
A career in theatre and film
Krummeck’s theatre career in
In 1973 he appeared in the title role in a translation of
He founded the company, Compass Productions, and, subsequently, the African Community Theatre Service (ACTS), in order to undertake work in reconciliation. Under Archbishop Desmond Tutu's mentorship he worked as a lay-minister in the Anglican Church from the mid-1980s, being associated with the parishes of St John's in Wynberg and St Paul's in Rondebosch - though latterly with the Rondebosch United Church. Under the banner of ACTS, he wrote and directed The Passion and a nativity play, Lodestar.
In addition to being an acclaimed stage actor and theatre designer in major productions, Krummeck was active as a playwright for radio productions on SAfm in South Africa, and appeared in film and television, notably the screen adaptation of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom starring Idris Elba. Shortly before his death, he completed a radio dramatisation called A Lessons from Aloes, on the history of mission schools in South Africa, and their revival in a project headed by Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane.
Krummeck was artist in residence at St Mark’s Church, Washington D.C. in 2002 and, while there, workshopped a programme for the first anniversary of 9/11, including his one man play Bonhoeffer. Based on the life and witness of the German pastor, theologian, and dissident anti-Nazi, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the play toured in South Africa, the United States, and Canada, where it was televised.
Concerned with issues of gender characterisation and discrimination, Krummeck explored these themes on stage and camera, and in published texts. With encouragement from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, he wrote a guide to gender relationships for the parish of St John’s, Wynberg. His 1994 teleplay Dear and Awkward Courage, directed by
Final illness and death
Krummeck died at St. Luke's Hospice in Cape Town on Saturday, November 9, 2013, six months after being diagnosed with cancer.
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1986 | You Gotta Be Crazy! | ||
1986 | Dada en die Flower | Captain Anderson | |
1988 | The Emissary | Doctor | |
1988 | Rage to Kill | Soldier in Jeep | Uncredited |
1989 | Jewel of the Gods | SS Guard | |
1990 | That Englishwoman: An Account of the Life of Emily Hobhouse | Lieut. Baker | |
1998 | Ernest in the Army |
Businessman | |
1999 | After the Rain | Minister | |
2002 | The Piano Player | Alex's Father | |
2003 | Citizen Verdict | Prison official | |
2013 | Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom | Magistrate | (final film role) |
References
- ^ a b c d Krummeck, P.A. 2012. Adam & Luke. Cape Town: Junkets
- ^ Obituary, Die Burger
- ^ Bookslive feature on Adam and Luke