Now living and working in London, Steven Stead received the FNB Vita award last year for best actor for his performance in Themi Venturas’ production of Hamlet.

News from former Durban actress Jill Fenson in the UK is that Steven’s production of La Traviata which recently opened at the Coliseum was much praised.

“It was a revival of the Jonathan Miller production,” Jill says in her e-mail, “although Steven had a measure of autonomy and had been as innovative as possible, with great effect. It was a delightful evening altogether. I haven't seen any national press notices - perhaps they don't bother too much with revivals - but there was a glowing one in the Brighton Evening Argus last Thursday.

After praising performances, it had this to say: ".... This is the third revival of Miller's production since 1996 and, in the hands of revival director Steven Stead, it is magnificent."

Congratulations, Steven from all in Durbs!