Every once in a while I witness something homegrown that just blows me away. This was the case when Habibti took me to the Kalk Bay Theatre for supper and a show. We caught the second to last performance of Electric Juju, written and performed by Rob van Vuuren.
(Photo borrowed from CuePix. Photo taken by Leon Schnell)
It’s a one man show (I think it’s called a one hander) that completely transported me into the imagination of the creator, director and performer. I picked up on the Neil Gaiman influences, but Rob made the ideas and character his own. I felt for the old man with the giants heart who still spoke to his long dead son. The pigeon toed little girl thrust into another (parallel universe) world to warn the old man had me wishing for her safety. The assassins (Mr Vandemar and Mr Croup could have wondered into this show straight out of Neverwhere) where a clever and sinister mix of brawn and brain. The crows were the stars though.
When this show is staged again I can’t emphasise strongly enough – go and see it.
My first exposure to Rob was as his Twakkie character in The Most Amazing Show (TMAS) and then again in Brother Number (also at the Kalk Bay Theatre). He is a consummate performer and story teller who really deserves the support of the public.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rob on his engagement.
Oh dear, and our illustrious cricket team are already 63/4 chasing 408.