(Pic: Senzo MthethwaMusho Festival hit returns to Catalina under new title.
The Boolulu Uncle (in its previous incarnation a self-titled piece known as Senzo Mthethwa, was the winner of the 2010 Musho Festival Audience Award earlier this year.
Hosted by PANSA, The Musho Festival showcases one-hander and two-hander productions at the Catalina in January every year. It has an audience vote allowing all members of every audience to give feedback of what they thought of the show.
The Boolulu Uncle, a charming original true story about a young Zulu boy growing up with an Indian family in Reservoir Hills returns to the Catalina Theatre from April 15. The piece is jointly devised and written by comedy heavyweights, Kumseela Naidoo (who also directs) and Koobeshan Naidoo, and Senzo Mthethwa (whose story is being told and who performs in the show).
The premise is Senzo Mthethwa, as himself, contemplating writing his life story and deciding where to start, what anecdotes to include and what to leave out. To this end, he hovers close to his laptop, fingers poised above the keyboard. Fragments of stories emerge with Mthethwa playing all the characters who have influenced his life – colourful people he meets while queuing for his ID; various teachers and school friends; eccentric neighbours; and his Zulu family when he goes to the “farm”.
Senzo Mthethwa is well-integrated into the Indian family and community which have adopted him. He attended an Indian school, went to Sunday service at the temple, has learned to play the tabla and can recite poetry in Tamil. He is a gifted mimic and understands cultural nuances perfectly. He can play the Zulu mama on the taxi; the sweet old neighbour “TV uncle” and the bling-laden rough-talking main-ou in the ID queue - all with equal pathos and subtlety. He has fun with stereotypes and has created a charming series of well-characterised vignettes.
Mthethwa has functioning relationships with both his real Zulu family and his adopted Indian family. A subtext to the piece is Mthethwa contemplating his identity and place in life – comfortably fitting into both cultures but not 100% belonging to either. This is a uniquely South African story which could no doubt be re-told in a million different permutations.
Shika Budhoo, Musho Festival reviewer for artSMart, commented: “In search for a unique identity Senzo reveals the struggles, smiles and often confusion that he went through growing up. A truly gifted performer with a distinctive South African story! First standing ovation of the festival, well done Senzo!”
The Boolulu Uncle runs at Catalina Theatre, Wilson’s Wharf, from April 15 to May 2 Thursdays to Saturdays at 20h00 with an extra show on Saturday at 17h00 (Sundays 14h00 and 18h00. Tickets R 65 (R40 concessions and matinees)
To book call Thandeka on 031 305 6889 or email tsibisi@mweb.co.za Catalina Theatre tickets are now available online at www.strictlytickets.co.za / 073 725 7381 or online at www.catalinatheatre.co.za or at www.goingplacesSA.co.za / www.goingplacesSA.com
The Catalina Theatre owes its continued existence to Rainbow Chicken which supports the venue as well as the National Arts Council and Ethekwini Municipality who support productions.
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