Up Close & Personal with Evita Bezenhout
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
South Africa’s supreme humourist Pieter-Dirk Uys who this time is assuming his popular Alter Ego Evita is in town, getting people to laugh, even at times getting angry and laughing again at Pieter Torien Theatre at Montecasino where her one person show is currently on. We simply love what Evita does, even as she may make some uncomfortable, just as they laugh again. We could therefore not resist the urge to chat with her in between preparations for the run of new the show at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino theatre from 24 August to 10 September. The production is called SELL-BY DATE and, as expected from his one-person performances, features not only Evita, but also a cluster of topical characters: male, female and political.
Being active in live theatre since the late 1960s, she is not surprised when people now ask: ‘When will you retire?’ The answer is short and sweet: ‘Not retyre; retread!’
SELL-BY-DATE will also show Uys at his 77-year old best, bringing laughter to various states of disaster. As always, his political scriptwriters are not letting him down, even when the lights fade to black! In our chat below Evita is as witty as only she can be,
CITYLIFE/ARTS: You were here in Johannesburg not so long ago and it looks like theatre audiences in Cape Town and Johannesburg never tire of your captivating story telling on stage. Any comment on that observation?
Evita: It’s thrilling. That’s what live theatre depends on – the telling of the story, be it comic, tragic or familiar. We all share a sense of humour. Hopefully it’s not been destroyed by education! Which allows us to laugh at our fears and make them less fearful.
CITYLIFE/ARTS: Which audiences have you found seem to connect with your shows in terms of quick resonance, Cape Town or Johannesburg?
Evita: Every audience is different, usually reflecting the state of the place you perform in. Cape Town is languid and easily amused; Joburg is sometimes one step ahead and doesn’t want to waste time. Poffadder and Dingdongville clap at the switch-on of a light.
CITYLIFE/ARTS: This is a production that has been travelling for quite a while and am sure that some of the people who will attend this edition in Johannesburg have seen it before. What do you think it is that compels an audience member to want to watch the same show, sometimes at the same venue multiple times?
Evita: Actually, no, ‘Sell-By Date’ has never played Joburg before. Virgin territory! Obviously I do have a style which appeals to the audience, but I try not to repeat things – although a good laugh is worth sharing over time.
CITYLIFE/ARTS: Often theatrical productions no matter how popular they maybe, especially the ones that tour, keep on evolving with new material added as and when the writer and their director find it necessary? Is it the case with this show or it is sealed and done, no interference with the original script?
Evita: There is always a tight structure so that the roadmap of drama worked to a climax, but topicality is essential. I reflect the news of the day and allow for ad-libs, making sure that I have left a ‘window’ in the structure so that I can get back into the story without getting lost!
CITYLIFE/ARTS: A lot of your shows you self-direct and that is a rare quality as most writers and even actor-creators like yourself, tend to surrender the directing to someone else. In your case this seems to be contrary to the popular trend. Would you like to reflect on that statement
briefly?
Evita: The work I do in my one-man shows is very personal and with a director could lead to stagnation as there will be two political points-of-view. I always bring in trusted colleagues at the previews to alert me to repartions and gags that don’t work. Also the need to cut material that lags. A 90 minute show without interval is ideal. But never waste an audience’s time or they will get up and go to the lavatory!
CITYLIFE/ARTS: If I were coming from Mars and I heard about this show for the first time and am curious whether to attend or rather go to a restaurant instead in Montecasino with new earthily friends who love eating and would like to introduce me to fine dining, what would you say to me?
Evita: I would say to you: keep me a place at the table and I’ll join you after my show. Then over dinner I can explain what I do so that you, the Martian, will understand me, the Humourist!