Peter Butler has enjoyed a consistent career in the performing arts spanning 41 years.
He started working on the stage at 18 at the Peoples' Space Theatre, an experimental theatre venue in Cape Town, where he learned the basics of his craft: - writing, acting, and stage management.He spent seven years from 1988 as a repertory actor with The Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB), where he honed his skills and amassed several awards for his work.
A bilingual professional actor who worked primarily for CAPAB and the Baxter Theatre in the 1980s-1990s.
By the 1990s, he was one of the senior actors of his generation in South Africa.
Awards include several Kellerprinz Awards (for acting in 1978 and 1979) and for best original text – An Evening in the Country at the House of Representatives One-Act Play Festival in 1984).
Dying Breed (1993 - Fleur du Cap for Best Supporting Actor), 'Tis a Pity She's a Whore (1994 - Fleur du Cap for Best Supporting Actor), Vasques (Fleur du Cap Best Supporting Actor, 1994).
In 2004, he was awarded one of the two Shakespeare's Globe International Artistic Residences given to South Africans.