There is a big difference between playing a character in a movie, and performing on stage in front of a live audience.
To get a live audience to buy into your characterisation is one of the most difficult art forms. Audiences will typically only follow a story once they truly believe it.
There are a few South African artists who have managed to pull this off, and who I hold in high regard.
One of them is the legendary Pieter-Dirk Uys.
His interpretation of Evita Bezuidenhout is so real that the character has taken on a life of her own.
So much so, that when Nelson Mandela was released from prison, Tannie Evita was granted the opportunity to meet and interview the late statesman.
When I performed in Darling, Pieter’s hometown, not too many years ago, I was astonished to find that Tannie Evita had a train station named after her, Evita se Perron.
Now that is another level of the performing arts that one can only dream of achieving in your lifetime.
Mr Uys is worthy of all the praise for his portrayal of this hardcore tannie, who isn’t afraid of tackling critical social issues like talking about Aids and condoms with school kids.
Another such performer was the late Pip Friedman, who had the ability to make people laugh while easily shifting from one character to another, all the time formulating real-life human beings in front of the audience’s eyes.
When audiences start to think of a character as being real, then actors have a platform to voice issues which they themselves are not allowed to say.
During the apartheid era on his radio show, Pip breathed life into a coloured character at a time when persons of colour were not allowed to host radio shows.
More recently, Boeta Gamat (David Isaacs) and Boeta Joe (Oscar Petersen) from Joe Barber, are two characters who have also become real to Capetonians.
Over a period of more than 10 years, they have become part of Cape Town’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.
Now, when I am not writing my column, I am also out and about trying to make South Africans laugh.
During the month of Ramadaan I started posting clips online, portraying a character called Mariam Kerrie.
Three of the clips went on to reach over 100 000 hits on Facebook, and I’m happy to say Aunty Mariam has become quite popular innie Kaap and even abroad.
I find it surreal that people are starting to believe she is a regte Kaapse antie and the more they believe it, the more I do too.
So much so, that this coming Saturday afternoon at 4pm the Mariam Kerrie Show will be taking place at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone.
The 8pm show sold out within three days, all because Capetonians, I think, really like Mariam Kerrie.
I hope this character will take on a life of her own, like Tannie Evita, and one day be given the platform to voice issues from our communities.
Book your seats for the Mariam Kerrie matinee show on the number 072 714 9887.