Defending the Caveman

The Caveman is back in Johannesburg in both English and Afrikaans

With a reputation for beating Broadway and South African records and getting the hunter-gatherer in all South Africans laughing, it isn’t surprising that Defending the Caveman is back in Johannesburg, by popular demand and being performed in both English and Afrikaans (Die Grotman). After a five-year hiatus Tim Plewman and Hannes Muller bring a fully updated and upgraded caveman, or grotman, to Parker’s Comedy and Jive @ Monte Casino and to Mardi Gras at Carnival City respectively.

Penned by Rob Bekker, Defending the Caveman holds the record for the longest running solo non-musical comedy performed on Broadway and is considered one of South Africa’s longest running and most successful solo comedies. Plewman adapted the script for South African audiences and won the Vita Award for Best Comedy Actor in the role.  One of South Africa’s most sought after actors, Plewman has donned the caveman skins for over 1600 shows, He recently returned from Las Vegas where he performed Defending the Caveman to standing ovations. He will be taking the show to Perth, Australia later in the year.

With an equal dose of quick wit and insightful humour, Muller has brought Koos Kombuis’ adapted and translated Die Grotman to Afrikaans audiences across the country. Muller has over 20 years theatre experience and has received a number of best actor awards for his work. He is currently the Head Director for Getroud met Rugby, a daily drama on Kyknet.

Plewman and Muller, both award-winning actors, directors and producers, have a special comedic affinity for the South African audience and know just which buttons to push, especially when it comes to dueling differences between men and women.

Defending the Caveman and Die Grotman explore, expose and poke fun at the complexities of romance, relationships and what’s really happening in the other sex’s head. The ensuing hilarity is a welcome dose of much needed laughter, and leaves audiences with a new appreciation for the opposite sex. They might not win the battle of the sexes, but their performances bring some tongue-in-cheek understanding to the contest.

“After years of hearing that all men are assholes, the Caveman once again stands up to be counted. And being a troglodyte, standing upright is not an easy thing to do,” says Plewman, with noted affection for what has become one of his signature roles.

Defending the Caveman is showing at Parker’s Comedy and Jive @ Monte Casino on Sundays at 15:30 until 27 August 2017. Tickets are R144 or R244 for dinner and the show. Tickets can be bought at Computicket.