Interview: Pieter Dirk Uys, Sell-By-Date, personal journey from the paralysis of states of disaster to renewed energy and enjoyment

The incomparable Pieter-Dirk Uys is on at Theatre on the Bay in Cape Town with his show, Sell-By-Date, from May 17 to June 10, 2023. The day after the season wraps up, on June 11, he will be in Hermanus for the FynArts Festival, to receive his award as FynArts Legacy Artist 2023 and to perform Sell-By-Date (also on June 11-  the man has energy). The award will be made by esteemed novelist Christopher Hope. They will be in conversation-about PDU’s life. The FynArts Festival is on from June 9 – 18, 2023 – 10 days. PDU at 77 – is still treading the boards- with his signature vigour, focus and passion for our beautiful but complicated country. In this interview, he muses about presenting shows online, in the dark days of the pandemic – that “Zoom would lead to nothing”. All we “could do was wait” but we “cared for each other”. He hopes that we don’t lose that: Caring and commitment to each other. As for his thoughts around the 2024 elections, he muses: “Every democracy deserves the government they choose. We all have our last chance happening next year.” However, he remains upbeat: “The show is also a personal journey from the paralysis of states of disaster to renewed energy and enjoyment – not just for the audience but for me too. The audition is over; the disease to please is cured. Maybe for the first time I am talking to the audience; not performing for them.” Read on for more:

TheCapeRobyn: You did online shows during the lockdown, recorded from a studio. Is Sell-By-Date your first new stage show, after the pandemic – with a live in-person audience?

PDU: I did an interim show in October 2022: Lockup/Lockdown – more a healing experience, trying to find my self-confidence after 670 days of inaction as a performer. It was very challenging. So, yes, this is my first post-Covid concert. And with a live in-person audience! That’s the challenge. Will they leave their fortress-homes? I think everyone has been affected (if not infected) by the virus. Just being trapped in a smallish space with yourself for nearly two years is enough to change many one-track minds. The rat race was gone; the Zoom would lead to nothing. All we could do was to wait. Every day felt like Tuesday. And yet we cared for each other. That’s a new commitment. Let’s hope we don’t lose it.

TheCapeRobyn: Reflections on the medium -screen back to stage? There was no heckling or chirping with the online shows -although sometimes there was bar – which allowed comments.

PDU: Trapped in a darkened room with two cameras glinting in the murky light was enough to send one running into the street. No reactions; no people. Just the memory of what should be laughter. Holding the pause long enough? Then onto the next onslaught. It was chilling. But then I am used to performing for my cats, so the cameras became them and all was well. But there is nothing that can beat LIVE. As I say in the show: Church and Theatre; from God’s mouth to your lawyer’s ear!

TheCapeRobyn: Can you tell us about what inspired this show and the narrative arc of the show?

PDU: I looked in the cracked mirror one day and said: ‘Hello? Are you still here?’ At 77 the first thing people ask is: ‘Have you stopped? If not, why not?’ Ridiculous question. I just quote Noel Coward: ‘Darling, as long as your speak clearly and don’t bump into the furniture!’ The show is also a personal journey from the paralysis of states of disaster to renewed energy and enjoyment – not just for the audience but for me too. The audition is over; the disease to please is cured. Maybe for the first time I am talking to the audience; not performing for them.

TheCapeRobyn: In addition to the characters/alter egos we have seen in the past, can we expected to see others conjured up on stage -such as Eskom officials?

PDU: The most difficult character I have always clash with is ‘Pieter-Dirk Uys’. I think in this show he is my mirror-image and not my rival. I have few of the old usual suspects just to remind us all where we come from, and then celebrate my three superstars: Nowell, Bambi and Evita. In the age of woke, how long will I be allowed to perform them in public? Let’s enjoy the ladies while we can.

TheCapeRobyn: Your role as a satirist and activist has been core to your work. Is anyone listening in power and how does that feed into the way you are presenting this show?

PDU: I have no thoughts about third-rate politicians with their fourth rate ideas on the Olympus of power. They work for me; not the other way round. My focus is on the people in the room with me: sharing experiences; reminding of what was good among the bad; also offending here and there to rattle the cage of prejudice. But then speaking clearly and not falling off the stage!

TheCapeRobyn: Do you think that SA is past its sell by date and the electricity grid will collapse?

PDU: South Africa will survive us all. My worry is that the ANC is forcing our democracy into a sell-by date – and what is the alternative? At least during the struggle against apartheid there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Now that light belongs to Eskom. My year used to be 365 days; now it is two days – today and tomorrow. That helps me a lot in focusing on what is possible. The future is pencilled-in because you just never know what’s in store. But today and tomorrow are firmly inked-in.

TheCapeRobyn: What does Evita think about the 2024 elections and if offered would she consider a post as an ambassador – to Russia?

PDU: Evita learnt through her past that the way to a politician’s mind is not through his brain; but through his stomach – and Gwede Mantashe proves her point. She cooks for reconciliation and has suggested that she prepare a special plate of koeksisters for President Putin when he arrives in SA. She’s trying to get the original recipe from Dr Wouter Basson.

TheCapeRobyn: Would Evita consider running for the 2024 elections? She has campaigned in the past. How about now?

PDU: Her political party – Evita’s People’s Party (The EPP) – will help with voter education as usual. She believes firmly in the future of our country, where community is the jewel in the crown of democracy. Every democracy deserves the government they choose. We all have our last chance happening next year.

TheCapeRobyn: How does Evita feel about PDU at 77, still running around the country, doing his shtick?

PDU: Evita is 87 – ten years older than me! (ha ha) She has no interest in my antics. Still regards me as an out-of-work irrelevant comedian – but with good legs.

TheCapeRobyn:  You arethe FynArts Legacy Artist for 2023- you will be presenting Sell-By-Date, in Hermanus on June 11 and will be in conversation with Christopher Hope on that day, when he presents you with the award.. Reflections about the award, the festival and what you will be talking about?

PDU: I have no idea. Very keen to be talking to Christopher Hope. Only good can come of that experience.