South African theatre industry mourns actor Lionel Newton

Actor Lionel Newton has died at the age of 61, passing away in his sleep on Tuesday in Cape Town, AJ Opperman writes for Netwerk 24.

His former wife, Lara Foot, CEO and artistic director of the Baxter Theatre, said his death came unexpectedly, noting he had developed shingles around two months earlier that affected his eye and brain, which she believes led to further complications.

Newton grew up in Alberton, Gauteng, attended school in Kimberley, and studied at the University of Cape Town. Foot, who met Newton at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg and later married him, recalled the late Barney Simon once describing him as a true artist rather than merely an educator, and praised his talent both as a physical performer and conventional actor. 

The pair collaborated professionally, including on a production of Waiting for Godot and later The Well Being, in which Newton performed alongside actor Andrew Buckland.

Newton went on to build a wide-ranging career that took him abroad, and appeared in the South African films Jozi and Triomf. 

Buckland, who first saw him perform at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, said he was immediately struck by his brilliance, and the pair went on to collaborate on several further productions, including Bloodstream and Feedback. 

Buckland described Newton as a valued, loyal friend whose death has left a significant gap, remembering his generosity and his ability to find humour in dark material.

Newton also won a Naledi Theatre Award for his performance in Paul Slabolepszy's Pale Natives, and frequently worked with director Marthinus Basson, appearing in productions including Hamlet, The Seagull, Anatomie Titus Fall of Rome and Antony and Cleopatra. Basson said Newton had brought exceptional depth and charisma to the stage throughout his career.

Newton is survived by his two children, Rebecca and Daniel.