Festival-acclaimed play is all set to hit Stutterheim
STRAIGHT from the National Arts Festival, Cape Town actor David Muller brings his acclaimed Love, Sex, Fleas, God: Confessions of a Stay-at-home Dad production to Stutterheim today.
The play, adapted for stage from Bruce Clark’s book of the same title, is directed by doyen theatre practitioner Celia Musikanth.
Clark had a nightmare childhood that spewed him out onto the streets at age 16, uneducated and livid. Deep into adulthood he remained pretty much like that until the love of a good woman grounded him. They got married and, at age 47, he was a father. His story begins there. His book is his terrifically sad and a funny account of parenthood seen through the eyes of one who knows about vulnerability.
Muller, a born entertainer, has done shows such as Imagining Einstein, Oom Schalk – From the Heart, Whale Nation and Harbour . He has made television appearances on shows such as Dirk de Villiers’s Arende II and III, as well as movies such as Ernest Goes to the Army , Tropical Heat, Philanthropist , Laugh Out Loud, Madam & Eve, Backstage and Jab.
Muller said prior to his performance at the festival, he had only performed the show in and around Cape Town.
“I was amazed by the great reception it got at the National Arts Festival,” he said.
Although Muller had a normal childhood, he said the only thing he shared with the author was becoming a father later in his life.
“The story is relevant and I believe there is a lesson for everyone. It tells the story of how you can take adversity and turn it around no matter who you are. It doesn’t matter what race or age,” he said, adding the story had inspired him and hoped his portrayal would also spark something to those who will be coming to watch it.
Muller said the play was thought-provoking and people would cry and laugh while watching it.
“There are toxic moments, tragic moments and loving, caring moments in this play. We see life from the eyes of a stayat-home dad.”
Catch the show tonight at the SADS Theatre in Stutterheim. Tickets are R80 and are available at Collett’s Pharmacy. Muller said he hoped to bring the show to other parts of the Eastern Cape later this year.
“I will be taking it to Johannesburg in October and hopefully will also come to East London,” he said. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za