Photo 1: Forgetful 85-year-old character Bambi Kellerman wearing red pajamas on stage performing Never Too Naked on 11 March 2020. PHOTO: Danny-B Smith
Never Too Naked’s character Bambi Kellerman, an 85-year-old former stripper, confronted South Africa’s current socio-political climate during the Toyota US Woordfees production, on 11 March.
The play also confronted the resurgence of right-winged politics, multi-phobias, neo-Nazism and intolerance.
Bambi is played by Pieter-Dirk Uys, South African satirist, author and performer, who over the last 40 years, has devoted his work to explore beyond the parameters of accepted comment.
“The idea of a retired stripper, snarled up in negative politics…was a good start in finding an original way pointing towards our present inequalities and prejudice. Our Constitution still doesn’t recognise and protect sex workers. Society abhors them,” Uys told MatieMedia.
Sex workers are victims of gender-based violence without recourse – Bambi is one of them, Uys said.
Stage setting for Never Too Naked, illustrating a box of ashes, bottle of vodka and Bambi’s red stilettos. PHOTO: Danny-B Smith
The title, Never Too Naked, emphasises the need for the new mind-set individuals should adopt, especially in SA’s current socio-political climate.
When naked – truths cannot be hidden, Uys said. “Naked is a good start to reinvention and rebirth,” he said.
Having been raised during Apartheid in the old Free State, Bambi discovers gay life in Europe – all against her upbringing – as she falls “into the deep end of the world at its most vibrant,” Uys said.
According to Uys, sharing Bambi’s story with the Stellenbosch community was particularly important due to the town’s “diverse collection of interested, relatively informed audiences”
“Stellenbosch is a fascinating cauldron of extremes” Uys added.
With reference to the Anti-GBV community having recently conducted a queerphobia protest on the Rooiplein, André Kapnoudis, a Stellenbosch University (SU) student and audience member, said the play was currently very relevant.
“Look at gender appropriation – the performance is so topical and relevant in consideration of what’s happening on campus,” said Kapnoudis.
Pieter-Dirk Uys talking to MatieMedia about the intolerance and discrimination reflected in his forceful removal from lecture halls during the old National Party days. “I have a long history of banging my head against a brick Stellenbosch wall,” he said. PHOTO: Carl Thomas