(David Crichton)
Actor David
Crichton died in Pretoria on January 15, 2016, after suffering a massive heart
attack.
Originally from the
UK, Crichton first came to South Africa in the mid 1950’s to join the Brian
Brook Company. After returning to work in Britain for a spell he was back in 1969
to appear in Chase Me Comrade for
Pieter Toerien and went on to appear in numerous farces.
Long-term Durban
audiences will remember him from his roles in a number of productions for the
Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC), now The Playhouse Company. These
included his dotty Father Drobney in Don’t
Drink the Water, the Good Robber in Robin
Hood and the Babes in the Wood, Old January in Canterbury Tales and the eccentric detective in Peter Shaffer’s The Private Ear and the Public Eye for
The Loft Theatre Company.
He was involved in
much work for young audiences and during the years he lived in South Africa he
performed in and directed many productions ranging from pantomime to Shakespeare.
On a school outing to his local theatre, he was introduced to the Italian
Commedia dellárte in a production of The
King Stag by the Young Vic. He later directed what was described as a “visually
gorgeous” The King Stag for NAPAC
which also appeared in The Loft.
An actor with
strong comedy skills, he was seen in NAPAC pantomimes including Cinderella and Robinson Crusoe. He has also appeared in many radio and television
plays and series.
Crichton signed a
Living Will and had indicated that his body should be used for Medical Research
so there was no funeral or cremation or service.
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