The inimitable Marga van Rooy, who many South Africans know and love as Ella in the popular television series VETKOEKPALEIS and who has recently been seen in VILLA ROSA and various films, such as FANIE FOURIE'S LOBOLA, VROU SOEK BOER en DIE WINDPOMP, is continues to tour with Lefra Production's 2015 farce, MY BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BABA, when it transfers to the State Theatre in Pretoria this week. Van Rooy plays the role of the fierce social worker, Mrs Poggenpoel, in the play.
In MY BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BABA we meet Tom Koekemoer (Cobus Venter). He and his wife, Linda (Cindy Swanepoel), are excited about the prospect of adopting a baby. All that remains is a visit from the social worker (Marga van Rooy) so they can answer a few questions, and the baby will be theirs! But things do not work out that way - not even close! While Tom is living a respected middle-class life, the same cannot be said of his brothers, Dick (Botha Enslin) and Harry (Francois van Rensburg). Although the brothers are close, it might be something of an understatement to say that the trio is two-thirds dysfunctional. Dick has just returned from Zimbabwe with contraband cigarettes and brandy, while Harry is trying to bury a cadaver in Tom's garden. To make matters worse, two illegal immigrants (Ana van Achterbergh and Dirk Vermeulen) appear on the scene just as the prudish social worker arrives, a never-say-die police constable (Duncan Johnson) becomes suspicious of the goings-on in the Koekemoer household and the scoundrel Boris (Phillru van Achterbergh) comes to fetch his payment. What follows is a huge, hysterical mix-up!
Comedy comes naturally for Van Rooy. She says that she has enjoyed every moment of MY BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BABA.
Comedy requires physically hard work. The pace in BOETIE SE BABA is incredibly quick and of course - true to farce - there are many doors opening and closing. We have such a wonderful cast and everyone fits perfectly into their roles. Come and see Mrs Poggenpoel give them hell.
Frans Swart, the director of MY BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BABA says that when he translated and adapted the play, he knew from the beginning that Mrs Poggenpoel was the perfect role for Van Rooy:
And she gave me a lot more to me than I expected . The role fits her like a glove and she plays her exactly as I imagined her. And what impressed me even further, is the incredibly professional manner in which she works. It's such a privilege to work with such a legend.
Swart also says that being back in the lovely State Theatre - with its secure parking and wonderful restaurant - is also a treat, naming masters of farce like Pierre van der Westhuizen and Peet van Rensvurg, who paved the way for productions of farces at the State Theatre:
These men built audiences at the State Theatre back then. It is a privilege for us to build on the foundations they laid there.
Bookings for MY BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BABA, which runs from 27 October - 1 November, are through Computicket on 0861 915 8000. Group bookings can be made directly through Lefra productions by calling (011) 815 3000 or by email at admin@lefra.com. Further information is available at www.myboetie.co.za. MY BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BOETIE SE BABA is presented in collaboration with Stuttaford van Lines, McCarthy Volkswagen, Sounds Good en RSG.
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