‘Karoo Moose’ is in fact a multi-award winning play, written and directed by award-winning Lara Foot Newton who has directed more than 35 productions, of which 25 have been new, South African works.
‘Koos Sas: Last Bushman of Montagu’ is written and directed by David Kramer, one of South Africa’s well known theatre names and faces. Kramer has now directed seven musicals and one play. Sue Northam spoke to David about his fascination with the character of Koos Sas and South African stories.
“This one is special because all the previous musicals were written with the late Taliep Petersen. I wrote this one on my own,” says David, “and it is
the first time I have written a musical
in Afrikaans.”
WHAT INSPIRED KOOS SAS?
A visit to the Montagu Museum in 1982 where I was struck by the contrast of an exhibit Р one displayed the ‘hero of Montagu’, the Springbok rugby player Koffie Hofmeyr, with his rugby blazer on display, and the other, the ‘villain’ of the town, Koos Sas, whose skull was the exhibit.
YOU WROTE A SONG ABOUT KOOS SAS IN THE 80S, WHY DID HE REAPPEAR IN YOUR LIFE NOW?
The song was the story as depicted in the museum exhibit. In later years, after doing more research, I felt that I should give a more balanced version, telling both points of view.
WHAT IS YOUR PASSION WITH SHARING SOUTH AFRICAN STORIES?
The fact that South African history has always been told from a very skewed point of view.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO HAVE THIS PLAY ON IN LONDON?
It’s exciting because it’s the first musical in Afrikaans to ever be staged in London.
WHICH PART OF YOU IS BIGGER – KRAMER THE ACTOR / WRITER / DIRECTOR / SINGER?
Writer and director.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO IN THE LAST FEW YEARS?
Performing in my own concerts, directing stand up comedians and creating a tribute to my partner Taliep Petersen called ‘The Kramer
Petersen Songbook’.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON THE VALUE OF THEATRE IN THE LIVES OF SOUTH AFRICANS?
It’s a pity that more South Africans don’t get a chance to see good theatre, because it can be a life changing experience!
Catch Karoo Moose until 8 July and Koos Sas from 15-29 July at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn.
