WORDS: Vanessa Levenstein
Buckle up because the speed at which Waldo Buckle moves is fast. This Fine Music Radio presenter doesn’t stop.
Human Resources Manager by day, Gilbert and Sullivan committee member and performer and FMR presenter, Waldo fits into 12 hours more than most people do in 24. “Sleep is overrated”, he says when asked how he manages.
From Bushbaby to City Hall
What isn’t overrated is Buckle’s passion for theatre and radio. “We grew up listening to Springbok Radio, my mother played the piano and I played…outdoors.” In high school Buckle joined the school choir and regularly visited Artscape (then the Nico Malan). “It was during the Apartheid years, we went to Hoërskool Jan van Riebeek and while my parents were liberal thinkers (his mother was a leading educationalist) many of the children at our school had parents who were parliamentary ministers”.
There was one performer in particular who redefined the way Waldo experienced the transformative effects of theatre, namely Pieter-Dirk Uys. “Here was a man, speaking Afrikaans, wearing a dress and taunting PW Botha, it fascinated me. In fact he was the main reason why I developed my love for theatre, I saw what it could do.” Many years later when Waldo met Pieter-Dirk Uys at the City Hall and related the enormous influence Uys had on his life, the veteran performer graciously thanked him in turn.
A people’s person
During Buckle’s national service his voice may even have saved his life. He joined a four-man army song group and instead of being sent to fight, he was sent to sing. After he completed his army training, he started his own HR management consultancy which he still runs. “I enjoy dealing with people and have the ability to be totally objective when solving issues. You need to listen before you start to even try and sort anything out”.
His marriage to the actress, singer and director Roché Haupt in 2009, set the scene for the second act of both his personal and thespian life. Roché was cast in the 2011 G & S production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Artscape Opera House. Buckle volunteered his behind-the-scene services and the rest is history. He auditioned the following year for The Yeomen of the Guard, and was successful. Other productions followed, Guys & Dolls, The Mikado, Oklahoma and My Fair Lady. He joined the executive committee of Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan in 2012.
Lighting, sets and theatrical management are certainly not part of the course curriculum when studying Human Resources. Waldo credits his skills to Gilbert and Sullivan’s musical director Alastair Cockburn, who generously shared his knowledge, gleaned from decades of experience at Artscape.
On the air with Waldo
It’s not just community theatre Buckle is involved with, but also community radio. Two years ago, Artscape Front of House Manager, Hadley Titus introduced Waldo to Fine Music Radio presenter Rodney Trudgeon. As a bilingual presenter, he not only reads news, but also presents shows and co-hosts with Rodney Trudgeon, Live Concert Date at 8 from the City Hall. “I love radio, theatre of the mind is so powerful and Rodney Trudgeon is so easy to work with.”
Where next? Later this year Waldo will be playing the role of Uncle Henry and the Emerald City Guard in the Wizard of Oz. A production based on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s version, Buckle is also the Production Manager. “The set design promises to be something never seen before in Cape Town”.
Buckle is worth watching and worth listening to. Catch him every second Tuesday on FMR’s Matinee, and for the next season of Live Concert Date at 8 at The City Hall.
Who: Presenter Waldo Buckle
Fine Music Radio: Every second Tuesday on FMR’s Matinee, and the next season of Live Concert Date at 8 at The City Hall
Listen live to FMR: http://www.fmr.co.za/
Gilbert & Sullivan Show: The Wizard of Oz
When: 16 Sept -8 Oct, 2017
Where: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Book: http://www.artscape.co.za/contact
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