This is a new show so if you a fan of Pieter-Dirk Uys and want to know more of his life, this autobiographical production will provide you with much insight into his life.
The only props are a bar stool, beanie and a tube of red lipstick.
Whilst the monologue runs for close to 2 hours, when P-D Uys leaves the stage you feel that he has just glossed over his life. But this story is not about the country’s political rollercoaster ride, it is about his relationship with his family, specifically his Mother and Father, and 2 very important women in his life, Sophia Loren and Sannie, the later whom was employed by his family as a domestic worker and became a lifelong friend.
Told without self-pity or bravado Mr Uys relates to us the difficult relationship with his father, the tragedy of his mother’s suicide and his battle against the National Party’s Censor Board. Satirists with his insight, courage and intelligence are universally hated by politicians who live with the stark reality that their version of what is right may in fact be wrong. These are dangerous men and woman who only the brave stand up to.
For me the show was a revelation of Pieter-Dirk Uys’s considerable courage, humanity, endurance and loyalty; immensely brave for standing up to politicians, unquestionably humane in the way he portrays diverse South African cultures with humour, having the stamina to work through the ever changing political landscape and loyal for being at his father, one of his harshest critics’, side when he died.
His noise will echo through our history for many, many years.
A nice touch are a collection of photographs of Pieter and family, displayed in the foyer.
Thanks to Illa and Sophie at Publicity Matter for the tickets !
