An Audience with Pieter-Dirk Eish

In his seventieth year and after thirty-five one-man shows, with probably 7000 appearances alone on stages here, there and everywhere, Pieter-Dirk Uys celebrates his survival of over three decades in theatre with a tribute to those who made it possible: the audience.

Since his first one-man show ADAPT OR DYE, he has auditioned, exploited and enjoyed over 80 different characters reflecting a life in South Africa that spans various lifetimes since the mid 1600’s. Politicians, presidents, legends, icons and aikonas have made up his satirical cluster of voices that reflect a vast spectrum of opinions, from left to right, from right to wrong, from male, female to convertible, from black to white via Barack-Obama-beige.

Pieter-Dirk Uys will exclusively present a selection of sketches, stories, characters and opinions at Montecasino that will give the audience the choices. Fifteen boxes on stage, each numbered and holding a special look at who we are, where we come from and where we are going. Using humour as his weapon of mass distraction, Uys with go from a Botha to a Bezuidenhout, from a Zuma via a Zille to a Merkel. Evita and her sister Bambi; Nowell Fine and Mama Winnie; Arch Tutu and Mother Theresa are there. The news of the day will be reflected in this cracked mirror of a rainbow nation smiling at the familiar, shocked by the obvious and laughing at itself.

The recent season of this Uyscapade in London at the Soho Theatre had enthusiastic responses:

From THE TIMES (****): “Uys is like Shakespearean jester, conveying cutting truths through wit. Intelligent, visceral, theatrical and fun. Let’s hope the satirists of tomorrow are watching.” Alex Hardy

From THE EVENING STANDARD (***): “At 68 the South African could play King Lear, but instead he has conjured up a striking character-based showcase with a twist. The mood shuttled from chilling to farce with topical gags offering added relevance. Uys remains a terrific mimic.” Bruce Dessau

From THINK AFRICA PRESS: “When Pieter-Dirk Uys gets on stage no one and nothing is safe … Uys unites the country not by rewriting its dark history but by inspecting it closely, taking stock, laughing about its absurdity, and moving on to champion the issues of tomorrow.”  Helen Reid

Venue: Pieter Toerien Main Theatre 
Dates: 18 March – 12 April 2015 
Ticket prices: R100, R130, R170 
Performances: Tue – Fri @ 8pm, Sat @ 5pm & 8pm, Sun @ 3pm

Bookings through the theatre or Computicket