Press: Pieter-Dirk Uys for the Fugard Theatre with 'When in doubt say darling'

When in doubt say darling - a new entertainment experience with Pieter-Dirk Uys and other darlings! After a sold-out season at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Studio, the newest Pieter-Dirk Uys show will be presented at the Fugard Theatre in August 2018.

Sometimes politics repeats itself, not only taking history and turning it into farce, but taking farce and turning into the fake news which is now called entertainment. Pieter-Dirk Uys is sorting out 40 years of distress, disguise and disgust: from apartheid to tripartite, from amandla to Nkandla. Wigs, glasses, wagging fingers, toyi-toyis, red berets, trump cards of madness, icons and aikonas. From Bezuidenhouts, Raubenheimers and Ramaphosas to Altzheimers.

At a time when a casual greeting or embrace can be seen as racist or harassment, the advice is simple: when in doubt say darling. If you can't remember their names, just say darling. If you get lost along the road to somewhere, simply ask for Darling. He did it, and now Pieter-Dirk Uys also lives in Darling.

Join him and many darlings in this minefield of hashtags and hatespeech, on an exciting walk to the edge of the next cliff, when the end of the world seems nigh. It used to be called a sunset but here's a secret: the sun will also rise tomorrow, darling.

‘Once again Uys inspires because he is in familiar territory with rolled up sleeves. He is not yet done with his beloved country and its people. Uys always works with humour, a deep insight and compassion without mincing words.’

- Laetitia Pople / Die Burger (translated)

‘Charming, chilling and confrontational Mr Uys. He understands he has a broader horizon behind him than ahead and he dusts off old targets to remind audiences that bad politics easily reinvents itself as a democratic solution. He offers audiences an opportunity to laugh at their fears, to confront fear, to understand it and prevent it from winning. Courage, honesty, compassion, healthy anger, information, respect and maybe a talent to amuse, are his keys to success.’

- Diane de Beer / Business Day

‘You laugh gently with this figure, who slips chameleonically through eras and identities, but you also sober up and acknowledge that the turning over of decades had rendered Uys an important elder of the theatre community. A unique and irreplaceable one. And this reason, as well as all the others, makes it unequivocally a work to cherish.’

– Robyn Sassen / My View

‘When in doubt say darling helps you to smile at what is happening in our country and realizing: it is your state of mind, your own sense of having fun, and finding the dark comedy and satire in many real-life situations that keeps us going. Strongly recommended. And when in doubt, just buy a ticket.’

– Leon van Nierop / What’s on in Joburg

‘Pieter-Dirk Uys can be described as the gift that keeps on giving. A one-man artist who has perfected his craft, Uys has a wonderful rapport with his audience, punctuating his stories with some naughty asides and infectious laughter. There is still plenty of life in this ‘old’ man and may he remain the satirical genius he had proven to be.’

– Peter Feldman / Artslink

‘Pieter-Dirk Uys and the satire that kept a country laughing. Watching him on stage is always an experience. All the more reason to see it live.’

– Masego Panyane / Star Tonight

‘Providing both commentary of the past 24 years of us being a democracy, as well as observing South Africans in all our wackiness, don’t be surprised if Uys eventually outlives us all.’

– Steyn du Toit / Business Day

‘Magical moments in a life well-lived. Good stuff, Mr Uys!’

– Lesley Stones / Daily Maverick

When in doubt say darling runs 7 to 25 August 2018 at the Fugard Studio Theatre with performances Tuesday to Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 4pm and 8pm. Booking is through 0214614554 and www.thefugard.com.