Wilhelm Disbergen - Scenographer
Wilhelm Disbergen is a prolific theatre designer. After obtaining his MA in Dramatic Art, he spent three years in London. During this period he designed nine full-scale productions including ‘Salome’ and ‘Metropolis Kabarett’ (directed by Henry Goodman for the Royal National Theatre).
Back in South Africa, he co-designed the Sun City Extravaganza ‘Afro-Dizzia’, and ten major productions for the Market Theatre. Highlights include ‘Guga Mzimba’ (directed by Fiona Ramsay), and ‘Aint Misbehavin’ (directed by artistic director Malcolm Purkey).
Other directors he has worked with include Neels Hansen, Bongani Linda, Tu Nokwe, Martin Schönberg, and Clair Stopford.
Recently, he designed ‘In den Beginne’ in Amsterdam. For the opera stage, he has designed the critically acclaimed ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ and ‘Don Giovanni’. For dance, he designed the Jozi Dance Co.’s seasons at UJAC and at the Tesson Theatre in 2007 and lighting for the Tshwane Dance Theatre’s season at the Dance Factory in October 2008. For this, he was acclaimed as ‘having entered the major league in lighting design’ by the most pre-eminent theatre critic in South Africa, Adrienne Sichel.
Corporate events he has designed include Wesbank’s ‘Car of the Year’, and major road shows for South African Breweries and Standard Bank. ‘Silent Voice’, his collaboration with director Aubrey Sekhabi (artistic director of the State Theatre Pretoria), is scheduled to tour Canada in 2009, and is currently on at the Market Theatre.
Recent productions, ‘Biko’ and ‘Waiting’ have had successful runs in Grahamstown with ‘Biko’ returning to the State Theatre for a sold-out run. A new musical entitled ‘The Rain Queen’, which had a trial run in 2008 (directed by Aubrey Sekhabi and with a cast of 50), will be revived again in 2009. Currently touring is his production of ‘The Nativity’, directed by Smal Ndaba.
A drama written and directed by Aubrey Sekhabi entitled ‘Mantolo’, on the life of Sibisiso Masuku, a man reprieved from hanging twice, is currently in development and scheduled to open in early 2009.
03/09
A Selection of Some Design Work
Redha's Giselle
Mr South Africa 2009
Aint Misbehavin
Lucia di Lammermoor
Don Giovanni
Mario Lanza
Wesbank COTY
On the Death of Ken Saro-Wiwa