Caveman avoids extinction
ROB Becker's hit one-man show, Defending the Caveman, which has been adapted into Afrikaans as Groet die Grotman, is touring the Eastern Cape again.
The highly successful comedy, which recently celebrated its 900th performance – a record for Afrikaans theatre – is travelling the Eastern Cape until next Saturday, September 20.
The first show was at the Boardwalk in Port Elizabeth last night, with one more show at the same venue tonight, after which Jeffreys Bay, Uitenhage, Graaff-Reinet and East London get their turn.
The show, which was translated and adapted into Afrikaans by Koos Kombuis, is directed by Sandra Prinsloo, an acclaimed actress in her own right, and stars Hannes Muller as the caveman.
Groet die Grotman is a hilarious exploration of the differences between men and women and how these cause them to misunderstand each other sometimes.
This show has sold out in theatres across the world for the past two decades, and holds the record for the longest-running solo show on Broadway.
It is still being performed in more than 20 countries and in 15 languages.
Kombuis, an iconic musician and writer, previously described his "Afrikaans-ifying" and "South Africanising" of the show as "a delight – and also good therapy!"
Prinsloo, as director, said the challenge lay in making Groet die Grotman a unique theatre experience.
"We gave our own interpretation to the play, set it within the South African context, yet kept to the essence of Becker's original show."
Muller quipped: "Ek is die grotman! Ek is die jagter! En alle mans is nie poepholle nie! Ons sien julle by 'Groet die Grotman'!"
("I am the caveman! I am the hunter! And all men are not a**holes! See you at Groet die Grotman") The show may be viewed at the following Eastern Cape venues:
Vodacom Amphitheatre at the Boardwalk casino complex in Port Elizabeth tonight at 8pm (book at Computicket on 0861-915-8000);
Potters Place in Jeffreys Bay tomorrow at 8pm (book on 042- 293-2500);
Barkly Street Theatre in Uitenhage on Tuesday at 8pm – 041-922-0575 or 081-397-0227;
John Rupert Theatre in Graaff-Reinet on Wednesday at 8pm (082-779-1044);
Hemingways Casino in East London on Friday and next Saturday September 20 (Computicket).
