PIETER-DIRK Uys dons many hats for his production, An Audience with Pieter-Dirk Eish!, at the Auto & General Theatre on the Square, running until 25 May.

Uys is perhaps best known for his character Evita Bezuidenhout, who first graced South Africa’s stages some 30 years ago. In an exclusive interview with the Sandton Chronicle, he explained the much-loved Evita had to share the stage with some 15 other characters in the show – something the diva was ‘getting used to’.

The show is a mosaic of different skits performed by the various characters Uys has perfected during his many years on stage. These characters emerge out of boxes on stage, joining the show as the audience members get to choose which box they want him to open next. Because only a few characters can be in a single show, each show is different.

Uys doesn’t just star as the buxom 16-character cast. He is stage manager, lighting specialist, scriptwriter and “I do everything,” he said. There had been challenges in putting the show together. “Evita had to go on a special diet. She has to look good for her audiences, you know.”

Uys said in his 40 year career, 80 characters had come to life through him. “There are also famous politicians in the boxes,” he said. “Yes,” he laughed, “Malema is also in there.”
Through the characters, Uys pokes fun at the status quo of the country. “I make bold statements through humour,” he said. “I challenge people to laugh off their differences.”

“Evita had to go on a special diet. She has to look good for her audiences, you know.”

He said since he first poked fun at politics, South African audiences were more liberal in laughing at things. “We have learned not to be afraid to laugh at the government and they have even learned to laugh a little at themselves.”
Have any politicians watched his show? “Maybe some have… undercover.”
“I consider my characters watchdogs of the powers that be, if you will. As a watchdog, Evita is a little chihuahua. She says serious things in a very precious package.”

Uys said he came from a family of performers. Mom and dad were classical pianists. “My sister Tessa in the UK also plays the piano and we make quite a team onstage. Evita unfortunately cannot sing, but her sister, also one of my characters, sings beautifully.”
Next on his agenda, Uys will be launching a new book, Panorama to coincide with the 20th year of South Africa’s democracy.

Does he consider himself political? “No, politics is the spice of life. It isn’t an institution, but is in us and is everywhere. Being South African is the greatest experience. We have the most diverse, interesting, irritating characters to draw inspiration from and to make our lives rich and colourful,” he said.

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