EVITA BEZUIDENHOUT & THE KAKTUS OF SEPARATE DEVELOPMENT. With Pieter-Dirk Uys.
KAREN RUTTER reviews
“Speaking Truth to Power”. It’s one of those popular expressions that tend to surface when somebody challenges The System, puts it to The Man or, in the case of Mbuyiseni Ndlozi needling Baleka Mbete, questions Madame Speaker.
But it actually has some serious muscle as a message. The Quaker community is credited with coining the sentence as a non-violent challenge to social injustice way back in the 1950s, and more recently it has been adopted by movements such as #BlackLivesMatter and #SayHerName. In an article on the Huffington Post (the original website), on this very expression, there seems to be agreement that it stands for courage, notably the courage to stand up for one’s own convictions, and to not be cowed by supposed power blocs.
Pieter-Dirk Uys has essentially been doing this for 45 years, 35 of them in a dress and high heels. As one of few outspoken satirists in South Africa during the apartheid years, he used his skill as a playwright, actor, comedian, newspaper columnist and author to challenge the racist status quo. His send-ups of apartheid leaders such as Pik and PW Botha were legendary; even Nelson Mandela became a fan, from his prison cell!
Still challenging the status quo
Fast forward some two decades since the demise of apartheid, and Pieter-Dirk still finds himself challenging the status quo, albeit from a different angle. Since 2000 he has travelled the country on a self-funded mission to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS through awareness-entertainment, reaching nearly 2 million school children. And he has never stopped being busy as a playwright and performer – only this time, the new regime has had to take it on the chin.
Fair play – the role of a satirist is to use constructive social criticism to draw attention to aspects of society. And lord knows we have had plenty of “aspects”, most notably during President Zuma’s watch, to draw attention to. But this is what is interesting about Pieter-Dirk’s latest solo show, Evita Bezuidenhout & the Kaktus of Separate Development: while not steering away from obvious targets, he still radiates a positive and upbeat belief in South Africa. At a time when the opposite feels like the collective emotion of many – particularly those of Tannie Evita’s race and privilege – he chooses to go for the good. Basically, if there is a message I came away from after watching his show, it is that we fought for democracy, and it is our responsibility to keep it. It’s no good moaning about things if one is not prepared to be part of change. And democracy allows us to participate, to be that change.
First and second halves
The first half of the show opens with a Spartan set – a ladder, a shelf – the result of a bungle with the ANC removal service, it would seem. But Tannie Evita manages this with aplomb, regaling us with tales from her somewhat risqué past when she was once man-handled by Donald Trump in a lift, made koeksisters for Jackie Onassis, and discovered a secret stash in Jacob Zuma’s presidential office. Each tale provides a platform for swift asides on politicians and personalities ranging from Juju Malema (of course) to Thabo Mbeki. It’s funny stuff, of course, and very smart.
The second half reveals the now “properly” decorated set, complete with a large canvas depicting the Battle of Blood River, a piano, and various artefacts including a toy ox wagon and a pair of clogs. Tannie Evita has refreshed herself with a new frock, and begins with an impromptu riff with the audience – a master class in thinking on one’s feet. The rest of the show was a clever re-interpretation of the history that so many of us were taught in school, starting with Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival at the Cape. This is when the kaktus of the play’s title make its grand appearance and, as the narrative moves forward, ultimately is replaced by a more representative model.
Zippy breath of fresh air
I don’t like it when reviewers repeat the jokes or punchlines of a show they have seen, specifically if I have not been yet, as it kind of spoils things, so I won’t do that here. But suffice it to say that there are some very, very hilarious comments, including an aside about Saartjie Baartman, that had me guffawing. How I wish history had been like this at school …
It’s a zippy second half, making for a very full programme in all. Pieter-Dirk is on top form, as always, and his flair for speaking his particular style truth to power (which involves big hair and false boobs) is a positive breathe of fresh air.
Just one comment, which is not a criticism but an observation – the whole evening could actually have been split into two different shows, on different nights. Each half has its own character, and can stand alone as it is. So you kind of get a bonus. Just sayin’ …
What: Evita Bezuidenhout and the Kaktus of Separate Development
Where and when: Theatre on the Bay, 20 June to 1 July
Book: Computicket
WS
