Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said that “Evita Bezuidenhout is not a woman, Evita Bezuidenhout is a legend.”
25 years after his veritable tent full of clowns relinquished power to a new dispensation, Pieter-Dirk Uys still makes the legendary Tannie relevant.
In a series of movie clips and on stage appearances, Pieter-Dirk Uys reveals how and why he came to create the character who has become his alter ego. Somewhat alarmingly the opening picture on the screen gives the audience the impression that Evita may have passed away. Fortunately it is simply a timeline for her life thus far.
The movie clips include a particularly clever scene of movie credits being spelled out on a scrabble board.
PDU remains one of South Africa’s greatest ambassadors, sharing his belief that the good people of this troubled land will hold firm and keep South Africa prominent as a democracy in a world that is testing the political concept to breaking point.
P.W. Botha – aka The Groot Krokodil – is still a favourite in his shows. It is ironic that The Great Locust, who stole some of the lustre from South Africa’s Rainbow, doesn’t get a mention; but that’s because he probably isn’t deserving of a place in Mr Uys’ box of props.
Whilst the closing scene has Pieter darkly suggesting that the forces that tried to silence him in the past are starting to manifest themselves in the new order, he urges South Africans to remain optimistic – to always believe that the glass is half full.
Highly recommend – this is a very cleverly constructed piece of theatre, not a rehash of old shows.
PS’s…
Cellphone man is still on strike – but his warnings would have been superfluous as no one would dare let their phone ring when PDU is on the stage!
There is no interval so if you treat yourself to a libation at the bar before the show, be aware that it will have to remain in the ballast tank for at least 80 minutes.
Show Details:
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
Thursday 21 November and Friday 22 November both at 7.30pm; Saturday 23 November and Sunday 24 November both at 3pm
Tickets cost between R130 and R160 and are available through Computicket -https://tickets.computicket.com/event/_hetwo/7100565/7100580/1302