The multi-talented Austin Rose is fast becoming one of Cape Town’s biggest stars.
He burst onto the South African movie scene when he played the role of young Abie in the blockbuster Noem My Skollie.
The success of this movie meana Austin is now a household name and I’m sure his face is one of the most recognisable among the young talents.
He was nominated for Best Promising Actor in the African Movie Academy Award in 2017.
This category was specifically created to pay tribute to young actors who are most likely to succeed.
I met Austin for the first time when he was performing at a school carnival in Bellville and at that time I could already see that this young man was destined for greatness.
I later manage to book him for my production Swag Notes at the Baxter Theatre, which was also his debut performance at the Baxter.
He was well received and everybody was excited to see his career grow.
Mr. Rose since that day has not disappointed his fans and he even went on to perform at the Cape Malay Choirs in the solo category for the Strelitzia Singkoor.
And he says since he moved from Eerste Rivier to Cape Town he has fallen in love with the Kaapse Klopse.
“Toe ek die eerste keer die Klopse sien, toe dink ek hoekom het niemand my gesê van die nie, is dan soe lekke!
“Die eerste keer toe ek met die Klopse jol toe voel dit soes my hart wil bars van lekker kry.”
He participates in the Tweede Nuwe Jaar road march each year, and this year he was part of the rebel troupe the Woodstock Darlings, who also opened the parade.
Austin can also be seen in Kyknet’s new series Danz in which he plays the role of a disabled man, Wafeeq Cassiem, alongside stars Ruben Engel, David Manuel and the inimitable Euodia Sampson.
“It was a life changing experience and changed the way I see a disability,” Austin says of the role.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Cape Town theatre audiences will soon see Austin in Marc Lottering’s hit show Aunty Merle The Musical.
He auditioned a while back for the role of Merle’s son and although he didn’t get that part, they still wanted him involved in the project, and a new character has been written into the show, which is back at the Baxter for the festive season.
“This is my first full-scale musical en ek kannie wag om met Marc te werk nie,” says Austin.
“I just hope that he won’t make me laugh on stage. I love Marc, I think for a comedian to create his own musical is fantastic and he deserves our respect.”
The actor is also eyeing the international market.
Austin’s latest movie work includes scenes with Fast and Furious star Vin Diesel in his new film Bloodshot.
He says he will be doing two scenes in the movie, and is excited to be able to add “worked with Vin Diesel” to his CV.
“When my agent told me I’m going to make a movie with Vin Diesel I told everyone, min te weet we were going to shoot the scenes separately, so I never really met him,” he says.
“But we are together in the scene in the movie, and who knows, maybe one day I will get the chance to meet him in real life, the world has become so small.”
And it seems there’s no end to this young man’s talents.
Austin is also busy recording his first single with Storm Solomons, who produced TKZ’s last album.
From dancing to singing, to theatre, to the big screen, there seems to be nothing this talented entertainer cannot do if he applies himself.
“But without the people who supported me and believed in my ability and talent before I did, none of this would have been possible,” he says, with great humility.
With that said, I believe it is important for us to support our local talent and their projects because, undoubtedly, they are keeping our arts alive.
Congrats, Austin, on your achievements, we are looking forward to seeing you in Bloodshot. I’m just wondering, wie is meere gebou, jy of Vin Diesel?