Helen Swan

Born in Sea Point, Cape Town, to Greek parents, George and Katina, Helen Talias grew up with brothers, Arthur and Peter. Helen won numerous eisteddfod awards as a promising young dancer during her early years.

Performing in many revues, extravaganzas and musicals both In Cape Town and Johannesburg, Helen then worked through the ranks of the established performing companies. Helen established herself as a talented, theatre technician both in stage and theatre company management.

Touring with ballad singer, Rod McKuen in the early 70’s, followed by a UK tour with comedienne, Barbara Windsor of the Carry On movie fame in the West End, Helen returned to Cape Town to work with the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) at the then Nico Malan Theatre (now ARTSCAPE) as stage/technician manager for both musicals and the opera companies.

The long awaited opening of Sun City, Bophuthatswana attracted some of the best theatre personnel in the early 80’s. Helen managed the Sun City Extravaganza Theatre as stage manager for a number of years in lengthy runs of musical Extravaganzas. Many professional and aspiring dancers were guided by her tenacity and discipline in this now demanding industry. Helen eventually married former CAPAB colleague and resident lighting designer, Tom Swan, then also at Sun City. Tom had during this time designed lighting grids for Black Sabbath, Laura Branigan, Extravaganza’s Showstopper, Celebration and Bravo.

Helen and Tom became proud parents of Peter and Samantha Swan. Together they secured a 5-year contract with the legendary singer, Andy Williams, at his theatre, in Branson Missouri USA, as lighting director and company stage/manager, respectively. Then after returning to Sun City for a 2-year period, they returned to Las Vegas in 1989. They now lived almost an hour outside of Las Vegas in Henderson.

Cancer struck Helen suddenly in 2009. All was in remission after treatments. Helen bravely, yet ironically, took the opportunity to tour and produce a revue in Thessalonika, Greece, her heritage, called Cabaret Royale, a welcome relief although personally demanding. Early in 2011, the symptoms returned.

Many months of procedures followed. Colleagues of the Venetian Gondolier programme in Las Vegas, which Helen managed, arranged a fundraiser in June 2011. Helen was at home and all was relayed via skype and video.

Helen was perfection to the last detail, always earning her a highly reliable reputation in this competitive industry. Her father, George, died in 1991. To add to her condition, her mother, Katina, passed away in August 2011 in Cape Town.

Helen passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, 10th November 2011, in Henderson, Las Vegas USA. Helen is survived by her brother, Arthur and his wife, Maureen Talias in Cape Town; her husband, Tom Swan; son, Peter, who will be graduating in December 2011 (AGE); and Samantha in 2013 (AGE). Tom continues to work his lighting magic at the MGM, Las Vegas, as a conference/centre lighting manager.