A walk through actor’s wild ways
JOBURG - Excuse the pun, there will be a couple, but seldom do you get to read 'between the lions' when speaking about actors.
Douglasdale’s Robert Fridjhon is not a new face at the Pieter Toerien theatre complex at Montecasino, but his one-man show Wild makes him a fresh new force to be reckoned with.
He had the audacity to expose all (well his thoughts, past and journey to become himself) on stage, with zilch by way of decor, only three chairs on stage and a lot of puns. Wild is basically Fridjhon telling the story of Grant – granted (get it) – is based on Fridjhon’s own experiences of coming into his own.
Grant was a work-a-day man, nose to the grindstone, a binge drinker, animal, a man unable to satisfy his girlfriend (just emotionally presumably – see the reference to animal) and unsatisfied with himself. Then a pussy in a strip club (an actual cat) and a failed attempt to get back with his girlfriend led him down the path of caring for animals.
From working at FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, to caring for two lions, Wild explores how finding your way in the world will generally leave you feeling happier.
In Fridjhon’s case it was caring for two lions, who he read to with his head on one, and the other lying at his feet – hence reading between the lions. He fed them and spent hour upon hour with the pair.
In Wild there is no shortage of jokes, dashes of self-deprecation (the tasteful kind) and a lot of storytelling, of which Fridjhon is a master. And by reading between the lions (I cannot resist) we get to see how Fridjhon makes life, relationships and happiness work.
Of interest is that Fridjhon’s cohort Alan Committie is the director of Wild, and while the show is causing belly-laughs at the Studio theatre, Committie is just double digits away from his 1 000th performance as the caveman in Defending the Caveman downstairs at the Montecasino Theatre.
Both have something to say about the difficulties of relationships and the trouble between sexes – and with their shows on at the same time, perhaps it is time to listen.
Wild supports the Jane Goodall institute of South Africa, and a percentage of takings from each show will be donated to the institute. The show is on until 3 August.
Details: 011 511 1988.
