Kendrew Lascelles

Kendrew Lascelles (pronounced Lassels; 20 September 1935 – 1 March 2022) was an English-born actor, performer and writer from South Africa. His works are known for raising the profile of issues of major social conscience, particularly Apartheid and the Vietnam War.Some of his most notable works include Wait a Minim!, an anti-apartheid revue that he co-wrote and performed; and, The Box, an iconic poem first recited by him on The Smothers Brothers Summer show on the ABC TV network in the summer of 1970, and was later performed by John Denver on his 1971 album Poems, Prayers & Promises. Wait a Minim! brought the Anti-Apartheid Movement to Broadway and the rest of the Western world. The Smothers Brothers Show received four millions contacts and one million letters from fans after The Box was performed by Lascelles on the show.Lascelles has written four novels, seventeen plays, two produced screenplays, four musicals, a television mini-series, and four anthologies of poems. His performance background is in comedy, revue, drama, and dance. Lascelles' writing style entertains and informs, bringing irreverence and humor from his comedy for revue and television. He has a background in classical Checetti Dance and performance. His plays have been published and produced, along with his work being recorded by various musical artists and broadcast on networks that include the BBC and networks in the United States.