Actor, writer, director and sometime wildlife specialist Robert Fridjhon created the hilarious romp, Sherlock Holmes and the Curse of the Queen’s Diamond, which is currently on at the Theatre on the Bay. WeekendSpecial asked him about the show, and what he’s been up to.
Please tell us what Sherlock Holmes and the Curse of the Queen’s Diamond is all about?
A silly, rollicking adventure in which Holmes, Watson and Mrs. Watson are called upon to locate the stolen Koh-i-Noor Diamond.
And what inspired you to create this production?
Pieter Toerien asked me to write an entertaining show for the festive season for our Monte Casino theatre now followed in Cape Town at Theatre on The Bay. Sherlock Holmes is very popular at the moment, so the genre made sense!
What influences did you make use of (eg books, film, stage productions etc)?
It’s all based on the Koh-i-Noor novels, I wanted to stay as faithful to the original style as possible.
Is it fair to say that after a pretty hectic year-end – Trump, Brexit, Zuma etc – this offers a great way to de-stress?
Absolutely – it was written with much of that in mind. Ridiculously funny and total escapism and definitely a good way to de-stress and disconnect from all the madness out there.
You have a pretty busy career, juggling TV, film and stage roles, stand-up comedy as well as writing. How do decide what projects to tackle when?
Stage is my first love, so it takes precedence career-wise.
You’re also a keen wildlife and nature conservation person. How do you get involved/what do you do on this front?
I took two years out of the industry of theatre and worked in Wildlife Rehabilitation, where I also got to raise three lions. I’m now back in theatre full time, but I still support the wildlife centres I worked for.
If you could have three wishes for 2017, what would they be?
- To find out there was a miscount in the US election.
- The Springboks to win something this year.
- Another opportunity to write a show for Pieter Toerien.
Could you tell us something about yourself that most people would not know or suspect?
I’m a closet pilot. I even have my PPL and have spent hours on my flight simulator. I totally behave like child when I’m at the airport.
Where and when: Theatre on the Bay, 19 to 28 January.
Book: Computicket
WS
