BITTER WINTER. Written by Paul Slabolepszy. Directed by Ledesi Job. With Andre Odendaal, Oarabile Ditsele and Chantal Stanfield. Baxter Studio.
KAREN RUTTER reviews
Now is the winter of Jean-Louis Lourens’ discontent, but he’s not going down without a gunfight. Paul Slabolepszy’s latest, and possibly most personal, play is an examination of the shelf life of an actor, particularly in an age of insta-celebrities and easy success. It is a poignant tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of an earlier cohort of theatre actors, and also a stark reminder of how we treat our artists in this country, when they get old. But it’s also an acknowledgement that things move on – and that’s not always bad.
Every generation thinks that the next one has things far easier. And so it is for Jean-Louis Lourens (Andre Odendaal), an actor from the old school who believes one should suffer, or at least work hard, for one’s craft. Versus young up-and-coming TV and film star Prosper Mangane (Oarabile Ditsele), who was spotted working in a bar and is now a Hot Name. Jean-Louis quotes Shakespeare and lives in a backyard Wendy house. Prosper reads his lines off his iphone, and has tickets for Kendrick Lamar in Paris. It would not appear they have much in common. But when the two meet at a casting agent’s office, ostensibly to read for roles in a new Western movie, mutual distrust turns into something else …
A tight and deftly-delivered reflection
Odendaal’s Jean-Louis is a shambling, slightly dishevelled fellow, clearly not physically nor financially well. A part in Six Guns at Sesriem will keep the wolves from the door for a while, at least. He has dutifully been learning his lines as The Sheriff. Ditsele’s Prosper is not particularly concerned – it seems his part (as the lead) has already been confirmed, and he is just in the casting office to meet the American director.
Keeping both men informed about what’s happening (the director is running late) is Chantal Stanfield as the casting agent. Brisk and efficient, she feels sympathy for Jean-Louis’s position – but not enough to be kind, or even polite. It’s all about rising star Prosper Mangane.
As the two are left waiting in a kind of casting room limbo, conversation starts to grow. It definitely does not flow, not at first, anyway. But an unexpected connection forms between the seasoned thespian and the rising movie star. An the generational walls start to come down.
Both Odendaal and Ditsele turn in wonderful performances, authentic and moving in different ways. Slabolepszy’s script is touching, and of course, funny at times – but also makes telling points about age, acting, and assumptions.
In all, a tight and deftly-delivered reflection that is sympathetically handled by director Lesedi Job. Well worth the watch.
What: Bitter Winter Paul Slabolepszy
Where and when: Baxter Studio from 21 May to 14 June 2025
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
