Georges Cathedral in Cape Town, Michael Weeder, has described Alvon Collison as a spiritual person who was gifted.
Tributes are pouring in for well-known veteran entertainer, Collison known in theatre circles as the 'King of Caberet' who died at the age of 79.
He became a
household name in the 1970's.
One of his award winning performances included his role as Pharoah in music stage production Joseph and the Technicolour Dream Coat.
Weeder says he will be sorel y missed." "He was much loved member of our congregation.
He had his special seat right in the front of the cathedral and throughout the service he would be sitting there with a very strong presence during the part of the service when we are calling the sharing of the peace.
He would be very warm and very forthcoming in his engagement.
That defined his personality and his contribution, not only in the church." Collison received a lifetime achievement award at the Fleur du Cup Theatre Awards
in 2018.
In 2011 the city of Cape Town conferred Civic Honours upon him.
Born in 1941 in Woodstock, he became a theatre and television personality.
Collison also nurtured new talent and assisted numerous young artists.
In 1991, he was an entertainer on the cruise ship MTS Oceanos, which sank off South Africa's east coast.
After the captain abandoned ship, Alvon and fellow entertainers were instrumental in keeping the passengers calm while a rescue effort was organised.
He was one of the last people to be lifted off the sinking vessel.Collison was in the entertainment industry for nearly 60 years.
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