Jonathan Shapiro aka Zapiro with Pieter-Dirk Uys after the opening night of The Echo of a Noise at Theatre on the Bay last year
I first met Pieter-Dirk Uys in 1981, backstage at the Market Theatre in Joburg after his performance of Adapt or Dye. I was 18 years old. CAPAB Ballet’s Phyllis Spira, Prima Ballerina Assoluta, had taken me to see his acclaimed show with her Partner Philip Boyd. I’ll never forget that moment of meeting him. Pieter was, and is, an icon and I remain in awe of his work. He has performed more than 7000 times on stages in South Africa, London, LA and Berlin amongst others, since 1968.
I started doing Pieter-Dirk’s (and Evita Bezuidenhout’s) PR about 10 years ago and I am continually astounded by his astute satirical brilliance and political commentary. He was the one who encouraged me to take up travel writing and made me brave enough to just do it.
PDU lives in Darling. He has a busy performance schedule this year and for more info on where and when you can see him, visit his website.
1.Tell us what you do for a living?
I entertain people and make them laugh at their fear
2.What is your passion-what inspires you?
Survival against all the odds with a smile.
3.What is it that inspires you love about your hometown, Darling?
To live in a place with the name you use most often to call people you love! Darling!
4.Name a favourite travel destination?
Islands: I have been to Ascencion, St Helena, Easter Island, Isle of Skye, Robben Island ….
5. What are a few of your favourite things in life and what is your pet peeve?
Favourite: early sunrises, cats, solitude, short meetings / pet peeve: having to suffer fools gladly
In September 2016, my dearest friend Janet Lindup (at right) and I went to see an exquisite program of neo classical dance at the Paris Opera, a place we first visited together when we were 14 years old. Pieter-Dirk Uys was at the same performance, sitting a few seats away from us. It was a magical night on all fronts. This pic was taken by Brent Meersman on the steps of the grand staircase, before the show began.
Pieter-Dirk Uys was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, held at Artscape on 19 March 2017.