(Marco Kotze)
Premiering at the Musho! Festival at the Catalina Theatre at Wilson’s
Wharf on Friday evening was Clinton Marius’ brand new production, White Christmas.
As an award winning playwright, Marius is very well known for his
children’s theatre and comedy pieces - and of course for his long running radio
soapie Lollipop Lane.
However, on this occasion he had to dig much deeper into his past and
his personal memories to produce this rather dark, tragicomedy monologue.
Marius has used his own experiences of growing up in an underprivileged,
yet loving, white South African family to create this semi-biographical work.
The result is the story of the Van Niekerk family who travel annually to
the Park Rennie Caravan Park for their Christmas holiday. They always book the
same site, set up camp in the same way, follow the same routines and indulge in
the same activities - year after year. It is a happy family tradition and great
memories of their time together are formed.
During the play, we see young JP Van Niekerk, who is now in his early 20’s,
setting up camp as usual. He is fastidious in ensuring that everything is
exactly like it always has been, even down to the deck chairs been in precisely
the same position. As he works, he talks about the members of his family and
the happy and funny incidents which have taken place over the years on their
holidays, and at home.
However, there is an air of unease about the young man and his actions
and one can’t help wondering if everything is as it should be.
The role of JP is played by Marco Kotze. He is a young fledging actor in
only his second professional appearance. He was understandably very nervous and
while this was apparent at times, he still managed a brave performance. The
emotions and vulnerability he showed towards the end of the work had more than
one audience member in tears.
Clinton Marius is a fine wordsmith. His descriptions of the Van Niekerk
family, as related by JP, introduce some very real and multidimensional people.
From the matriarchal and god-fearing mother, to the kind, gentle and very
supportive father, and the modestly ambitious sister, all have tangible character.
They are the unpretentious, salt of the earth, type of people who have
played such an important role in the history of our country.
While White Christmas does
need a bit more work to tighten it up, it shows great potential. I look forward
to seeing its growth in the future.
The
Musho! Festival is presented by PANSA with support from Twist Theatre
Development Projects, The KZN Department of Arts and Culture, The Daily News,
BASA and the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT). For more details of the rest of the
programme visit http://www.mushofestival.co.za
– Keith Millar
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