(Peter Gardner)
Well-known
and respected actor and casting director, Peter Gardner, died in Durban on May
8, 2016, after a long and bravely fought battle with cancer. He was married to well-known Durban
theatre personality Caroline Smart and was a registered BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) service
provider.
Gardner ran his own business, Troubadour
Productions in Mayville, which handles costume hire and
mascot costume manufacture.
Born in Grahamstown and educated in New Zealand
and Johannesburg, Gardner was an engineer, an accomplished cook and an
ocean-going yacht master who had done the Cape to Rio Yacht Race twice. He
started off in theatre as a member of various amateur dramatic societies,
building sets and props and handling sound.
An actor capable of powerful emotions, he worked
in stage, radio, film and television and acted alongside well-known names such
as Oliver Reed, Trevor Howard, James Fox, Michael Dudikoff, Michael Ironside,
Kristen Scott Thomas and Barbara Carrera.
“He bore a remarkable resemblance to movie actor Chuck
Norris, which even astonished Chuck’s brother Aaron when he came to South
Africa to work on a film!” remembers Caroline Smart.
Gardner appeared in numerous productions for
Napac and, more recently, the Playhouse Company. These included Breaker Morant, Anthony and Cleopatra, Macbeth,
Hamlet, Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Romeo and Juliet, Oliver, Fiddler
on the Roof and War Cry. He also
performed in the smash-hit Thriller at
the now-defunct Langoustine Theatre by the Sea.
In 2013, he appeared in Duncan Buwalda’s Naledi
nominated play. Hinterland, when it was performed on the Arena programme of
the National Arts Festival.
His engineering background allowed him to
create costume/mascot characters efficiently as well as artistically. He created many cartoon and branding costumes
such as the Liquorice Allsorts Man, the Jolly Jammer Man for Baumann's
Biscuits, three bears for Beare Brothers, Mr Lover Man and Nokia cellphones.
In addition to a large number of Liquorice Men,
he made Plucky the Mynah, the mascot for the Natal Rugby Union (a costume with
a head that carries a sound system so that the audience can hear him squawk and
a fan to keep the wearer cool!), the Jolly Jammer Man for Baumann's Biscuits
and three sets of bears for Beare Brothers, Plumpy the Dinosaur and a turtle
mascot for export to the Seychelles.
Among the numerous tributes received after his death are
those from colleagues and friends in the arts world:
Gaynor Young (actress):
I am picturing him standing in the foyer of the Sneddon, a drink in his hand and
laughing Peter's gorgeous laugh.....
Anant Singh (film
producer): I had the pleasure of
knowing Peter for more than 30 years and worked with him on the casting of “The
Apprenticeship of a Mahatma”; “Cry, the Beloved Country”; “The Res”; “Mr Bones
2” and many other films. I will always remember him as an unassuming, gentle
human being with an infectious laugh, and one who was committed to his craft
and the performing arts.
Tony Cox (Guitarist):
He was a wonderful man and had me and
Steve (Steve Newman) in stitches every time he laughed at one of our silly
jokes.
Leeanda Reddy (TV
Actress): My very first television
job came from an audition where he was the casting agent - he gave me great
advice as I ventured into this new world. I remember, when performing on stage
and -hearing a distinctive, characteristic laugh - feeling a sense of both
excitement and nervousness that Mr Gardner was in the audience and hoping that
we performed well enough to get a good review from him. He has been an
inspiring, encouraging and dynamic presence in the arts industry and I am
grateful to have known him.
Krijay Govender (TV
Actress): How sad to have lost Peter Gardner. Every single actor that came out
of Durban has a PG story to share.
Ismail Mahomed (Artistic
Director, National Arts Festival): I
will always cherish that special moment during my last visit to Durban when
Peter rode all the way on his bike straight from a medical to say hello. Peter
was such a gallant soldier. Over the last 18 months, he fought his battle with
such enormous strength, courage and dignity. He took his battle with cancer and
made lemonade from lemons. He offered laughter despite the pain and discomfort.
To those of who watched his battles over the last 18 months he held up a mirror
to us to reflect on strength, courage and humility.
Troubadour Productions is currently in a process of
restructuring. The building is on the market and the costume hiring business is
also for sale. Many old costumes that are not up to hiring quality but still
have a value in terms of their material or braiding.have been moved to bargain
rails
Troubadour is situated at 292 Jan Smuts Highway in Mayville,
Durban. Operating hours are Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00 and on
Saturdays from 09h00 to 12h00. Contact Catherine or Doreen on 031 209 2817/8 or
email csmart@iafrica.com or visit www.troubadour.co.za
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