Holm targets a new audience
MARION HOLM VIR BEGINNERS. Directed by Chris Vorster, with Marion Holm. At the Theatre on the Bay, Tuesday to Friday at 8pm, and Saturday at 5pm and 8pm. STEYN DU TOIT reviews.
Local stage personality Marion Holm has been seen on television in programmes such as Last year she also gave a wonderful performance in Ben Heyns’ kykNET short film, adventures this multiple kykNET Fiësta Theatre award-nominee continually seems to be getting herself into. Oh, and Carl Jung. Don’t forget Carl Jung.
If she’s not having her breasts flattened “like cheese and tomato toasties” during her annual mammogram exam, or going for limo rides in Kraaifontein, then she’s getting lost somewhere on the Orange River.
Likewise, if you don’t find her burying the bodies of seafood casseroles she and Nataniël murdered in their kitchen, or getting seasick on a vulgarity known as The Sea Princess, then you can bet she’s online busy getting ripped off by one dodgy travel deal after the other, as we speak.
Performed by way of mime, sketch humour and stand-up comedy, the strongest element of this or (any other Holm) production, however, is her ability to make the viewer relate to her life and characters on a level deeper than just the surface.
A seasoned local stage personality who can be seen on television frequently, thanks to programmes such as Die Casper Rasper Show and Vlug na Egipte, last year also saw Holm give a wonderful performance as one of four sisters reuniting around their father’s deathbed in Ben Heyns’ kykNET Silwerskermfees short film, Totsiens, Pa (Goodbye, dad).
If your mother tongue or home language is Afrikaans, then chances are good that you won’t just recognise the kind of charac- ters she portrays in Marion Holm vir Beginners, but physically recognise them in those closest to you as well. This makes for surprising emotional moments during the piece’s more serious segments.
But ultimately it’s more about the ups than it is about the downs here, with the production recommended for those looking to enjoy an evening of Afrikaans storytelling and comedy free from beginner’s luck.
Holm’s Cape Town visit is brief and ends this Saturday already. A performer able to tug at your heartstrings, tickle your funny bone and stay around to do shots with you at the bar afterwards all at the same time, she makes for great company.
Tickets are R100 – R170, 0861 915 8000.