1961 – “Let’s Go French”
…Honours must, I think, go to Zona Visser for her characterization of the pert little French night-club hostess…
1961 – “Aladdin”
…Zona Visser proved to be a pert and saucy Aladdin…

“Applause” adds to Jod’s line of stage successes

Theatre: Colin Du Plessis
For Jods production of “Applause, “ Anthony Farmer has built a beautiful, false proscenium, with a scarlet curtain, which resembles the traditional gilt-and-plush theatre more closely than our Civic Theatre….
It’s an overlong first half with sags toward the end. The Song “Applause” would have made a fine curtain before the interval, since it abounds in originality and animation. Zona Visser puts over this, the most tuneful number in the show, in fine style.

Promising but unready – “Applause” at the Civic Theatre

By Michael Venables
All the makings of a successful musical were on show at the Civic last night, but they were still in late rehearsal stage. It’s difficult to predict just who will stand out from the finished product, but this performance was carried by three people…
McGovern’s was the most effective personality and the best singing voice, and Zona Visser positively sparkled in the two Greenwhich Village production numbers, especially the satirical “She’s No Longer a Gypsy”…

The mixture as before – “Sweet Fanny Adam’s” at the Adam Leslie’s Theatre

… Zona Visser bags the loudest applause. Her songs a bit strident and really more attuned to a variety programme, are punchy and she is developing into a revue comedienne.”

Fun, but little edge – “Sweet Fanny Adam’s” at the Adam Leslie Music Hall

By Michael Venables
… Last night’s premiere was really Zona’s night. Whether she was belting out numbers like “As Long as I’m Singing my Song” and “Shiver, Shudder, Shake” (with a touch of Eartha), playing Poppie van Prinsloo of the SAA jumbo jet, “Gomgat” (promising the passengers an uncut version of “Mary Poppins” as the in-flight movie) or giving frustrated telephone subscribers a lot of vicarious relief with her impersonation of the girl at enquiries, she stole the show as effectively as she did in “Applause” some months ago.

Zona also appeared in “Hair, Hair” - at the Adam Leslie’s Theatre

After the phenomenal run of Hair Hair at the Adam Leslie Theatre it is inevitable that its successor will be judged by that standard…
The best skit in Sweet Fanny Adam’s is one left over from Hair Hair… the delightful Miss Poppie van Prinsloo, air hostess extraordinary and typical of SAA. Zona Visser does this as if she had gone through the training school at Jan Smuts Airport.

Zona Visser was born in Springs. Obtained her finals in Classical Pianoforte at Trinity College of London, Royals Schools of Music and University of South Africa.
Commenced her singing career in 1960. She recorded the English version of “Suki Yaki” which found success on the South African, Dutch and French charts. Has since sung in thirty-five countries. She has worked in all the major clubs in Britain and London’s West End. Theatre Summer Season with Al Read and Ronnie Carol, Winter Gardens Theatre, Bournemouth with Frank Ifield.
Has entertained the American forces in Germany, Italy, France, Turkey. Also cabaret at Hilton Hotels in Istanbul and Athens. In Paris was on supporting bill to Bill Haley and his Comets. She toured throughout Europe doing Cabaret appearances in all the leading clubs. Then Australia, New Zealand her next ports of call. Zona did a weekly appearance on the popular T.V. Pop Show, “Ready, Steady, Go.” Then Noumea, New Caledonia and Tahiti. From there to the Far East again working the Hilton Hotel Circuit.
Zona was the only South African artiste sponsored by the United States Government to entertain the American troops in Vietnam. After nine months touring the whole of South Vietnam, short spells in Cambodia and Laos with a package show. She worked under most adverse war conditions was under attack for two weeks in Saigon when the 1968 “Tet Offensive” broke out. After Vietnam came Okinawa, Korea, Singapore and Japan. Recently completed a tour of the Caprivi Strip for the South African Defence Force. Zona has completed a five-week run with the famous Austrian Pop Star, Udo Jurgens and comes to Hair-Hair from her triumphant appearance as Bonnie in “Applause”.
A.L.W.H.T.H.H.

Zona appeared in two movies in 1962:
Geheim Van Die Onderplaas and Gevaarlike Spel