Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Play is a a meditation on aging, friendship
Inthe
WHEN a dear friend of TV and stage actress Vinette Ebrahim died after a heart attack, she decided to write a play, inspired by their friendship. Die Ongelooflike Reis van Max en Lola (The Incredible Journey of Max and Lola) took shape, with Hugo Taljaard as co-writer.
Taljaard is directing Ebrahim and Chris van Niekerk in the play which is at the Baxter from Tuesday to February 7.
The bitter- sweet relationship comedy-drama is set in Cape Town, in the flat of Max – “a white, gay man” who is turning 80. His friend Lola, “a sharp-tongued coloured woman” is turning 80 the following day and they are gathered for a shared birthday party – but no-one pitches up.
Lola has been diagnosed with dementia. When no-one arrives for the party, they talk candidly about what’s happening to them – death, ageing – and reminisce about their friendship of over 50 years.
“When people get old, they fear losing their dignity; their minds,” said Ebrahim.
“In the process of aging there is so much that one fears. This is a relationship which has been through an incredible journey. It’s a journey of aging but mostly about love and friendship.” And there’s plenty of mirth in the sadness, says Ebrahim.
“They have known each other for such a long time. I think when you have such close friendship, you can become almost closer than family. You can be honest with each other. The play asks many questions and gives some answers. A key themes is: where to next?”
The play is a homage to Ebrahim’s friend who inspired the play and contains aspects of other peoples’ experiences which she has used with their permission.
It is also a tribute to the unlikely friendships and alliances that sprung up during apartheid. The backstory is that Lola worked at a haberdashery in Cape Town and Max was a librarian. She came in at lunch time to read the movie magazines and they discovered their mutual love of movies.
Both Ebrahim and van Niekerk are darlings of the small screen in series like 7de Laan, so this will be great opportunity to see them on stage together for the first time.
“We have such a good rapport on stage,” she said. “We have the ability to laugh at ourselves. We worked together on 7de Laan for about five years and we have a friendship that goes back many years. I think because of that you believe that friendship between Max and Lola.”
Ebrahim is thrilled at bringing the play to her home town. She has been living on Joburg for 12 years but her heart is still in the Mother City. “I miss it every day – ahh – the Sea Point Pavilion, driving along the mountain…”
The play is in Afrikaans and there is an age restriction of 13.
● Tickets are R120 throughout and the same price applies for Baxter Mondays which includes the show and light meal. Book Computicket 0861 915 8000/www.computicket.com.