Keeping it all in the family

had some colourful uncles and aunts.

So you reckon most people can relate to the play, no matter their pedigree?

Absolutely! I played it for eight weeks at Pieter Toerien’s Monte Casino Theatre and we had an incredible mix of people in the audience who all seemed to relate. This show is about family relationships and we all have crazy relatives lurking in the closet.

You’ve acted with your wife and daughter ( and wife and son ( How come you’re all in the same business?

Well, it was inevitable I suppose. The kids would come and see me in pantomimes and I suppose the bug bit. I tried to give them Noel Coward’s advice: “Don’t put your daughter on the stage Mrs Worthington!” but to no avail.

That should make family gathering mealtimes interesting. Are you competitive or supportive of each other?

As a family we are very supportive although I can be critical – I tend to take my job very seriously. It can be a bit glum if all of us are unemployed at the same time. Then it would be nice if one of us were a doctor, lawyer or a plumber.

You’ve mentioned that you really have never wanted to do anything else but act. Seriously – you never wanted to be an astronaut or a chef? You must be incredibly happy making a living doing what you love, then?

It is without doubt the most incredibly wonderful feeling being able to earn a living doing what I love.

But it is not for the fainthearted – when your present job ends so does your income. Scary!

In your distinguished career, what would be a highlight – or two?

Playing Hamlet at the age of 25. Playing Arthur in Camelot and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof twice. Creating the play Pregnant Pause with Charmaine Weir Smith and Sylvaine Strike. Acting with my family. I loved Pieter Toerien’s productions of God of Carnage and History Boys. And I am about to do a two-hander with my son called Red for the Grahamstown festival.

What do you like to do to relax?

I love going to Greece and sitting on an island sipping Ouzo. But if not that – then reading and having a few friends over so that I can pretend to be a chef if not an astronaut.

My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m in Therapy! is at the Theatre on the Bay until March 10. To book, call 021 438 3300.