South African writer and actor, Robert Fridjhon, had a stroke on 1st August 2017. He
was on his way home from an interview about his most recent production, My Name is
Asher Leve, which was showcasing at the Monte Casino Teatro. Friends in the industry
are rallying to assist with medical expenses, and while the SOS Charity Fund, a DWR
Distribution initiative, has donated R10 000 towards the cause, any additional help will
go a long way.
According to fellow artist, Ashleigh Harvey, the stroke was major and left Rob
paralysed on his left-hand side.
“The stroke itself has affected a large area of his brain, and he is in need of
rehabilitation,’ said Ashleigh. “Like many performers, Rob is not on medical aid, and
the funds raised will go towards occupational therapy, speech and language therapy
and physiotherapy.’
Rob is the genius mind behind plays like Twitch, Bohemian Rhapsody and Sherlock
Holmes and The Curse of the Queen’s Diamond. He also performed in the hit shows,
Pythonesque and more recently, The Play That Goes Wrong. He has worked side by
side with his fiancee, Bronwyn, for the past eight years.
“When our colleague, Michael Broderick, let us know about Rob’s plight and after
chatting to Brian Hill from Montecasino Teatro, I knew we had to assist,’ said Duncan
Riley of DWR Distribution, who established the SOS Charity Fund. “The SOS donated
R10 000, but when considering the therapy costs, you realise that a lot more will be
needed and greatly appreciated. With this sad incident, I was reminded that if it
weren’t for the actors and performers on stage, I wouldn’t have the career that I so
love.’
Any donations can be made by following this link: https://www.generosity.com/projects/robert-s-
recovery/payments/new
