She's the best friend of the most lovable aunty on the Cape Flats, and Soraya Samsodien is glad nie op haar bek geval nie when Aunty Merle from Belgravia tells her off.
On Monday night, Aunty Merle The Musical is back at the Baxter Theatre and the experienced cast say they are excited to return to the stage for the third run.
The production boasts 14 cast members, led by Merle, aka comedian Marc Lottering, and accompanied by a live band.
The Daily Voice this week sat down for a quick chat with Aunty Merle’s neighbour in Belgravia Road, the nosy samoosa-making Soraya, played by the charming Carmen Maarman.
Carmen, 40, from Milnerton, says playing the role of Aunty Merle’s neighbour of 17 years is quite easy because, in reality, she and Marc are old buddies.
“Myself and Marc go way back, we both once worked as ushers here at the Baxter Theatre and became close friends over the years, so for us to play the role of old neighbours is a breeze,” she says.
Aunty Merle and Soraya are old neighbours
Carmen, who grew up in Belhar, lives with three friends and a four-year-old girl whom they are all raising together.
While not revealing much about her home life, she says her love for acting started at Belhar High School. “I was in matric and became so attached to acting that I nearly failed matric. My passion exceeded my academics, but I made it,” says Carmen.
“I absolutely adore what I do, and I work most of the time, which is great.”
Carmen also wants to “reiterate” that she is “very single” at the moment and she’s “more than ready to mingle”.
“I just want to be happy, you know that feeling of when something big happens for you and you want to just call up your man to share the news I want that,” she says wistfully.
Photo: Matthew van Schalkwyk/ANA
“The qualities of Soraya resemble my own character. I might not have kids of my own, but I am that motherly figure everywhere I go. I’m always the one to see to everyone off set, very maternal and nurturing indeed,” she laughs.
Aunty Merle The Musical runs at the Baxter from 3 December to 5 January.
Ticket prices range from R100 to R195, and are available from Webtickets, Pick * Pay and the Baxter box office on 021 685 7880.