Back 10 years... and loving it

Tell us about your role in The History Boys.

I play Irwin, a young supply teacher brought into a school in order to help their history students gain places at the much sought-after Oxford and Cambridge universities. Irwin is only a few years older than his students, and this proves to be a strength and weakness for him. I have found playing him to be a great challenge, he is a complex, guarded individual and I discover something new in him every night – which is fantastic. He is also very, very clever.

The play, by Alan Bennett, has won many awards. Have you seen any other version of it? And has this affected the way you tackle the play?

I did see the movie, many years ago upon its release, and it never really appealed to me then. However, when I was given the play to read a year ago by Alan Swerdlow, our director, it was a very different prospect. It is Bennett at his best.

The play is richer, darker and maybe less sentimental than the movie. Comparing our play with the movie is unavoidable, perhaps, but this production has a whole lot more heart, a whole lot more head and we don’t shy away from what Bennett is really trying to say.

The History Boys is set in England, but the story of young working class kids, and the politics of education could well be applied elsewhere, such as here, one assumes?

Education is indeed a global problem. But to South Africanise Bennett’s play would not work at all. The language he writes with is so typically British, as are some of the issues in the script, and would not transfer well to a South African context. Sure, there are massive parallels to our situation, but that is where the beauty of the play lies. Seeing our situation reflected in another universe.

You’re joined by a large cast – has it been fun working together?

It has been such a pleasure. So often, due to budget limitations, you have three to four actors trying to play 30 parts – miming tea cups, using brooms as horses etc.

Now to work with a full company of 12 – it has been a gift. Chaotic, fun and a bit like going back to school.

In a way, perhaps, it is like your role in Scandal, the TV series, as part of a large cast. Do people come up and chat to you about the show?

Yes they do. It is so cool. People engage so much with our local soapies. They care so much about their favourite characters and are always asking about story lines and how they will turn out. I’m warned by Scandal viewers to stay away from Donna, or asked when Shakira is going to jail.

You were born in SA, then studied and worked (successfully) in the UK, and are now back here. A good decision, to come back?

I’ve been back for nearly 10 years now and there is not one ounce of regret. Our local industry is thriving and ever-changing. From huge theatre productions, internationally acclaimed local movies that compete for Oscars, awesome music bands, fashion designers and a growing South African entertainment global identity taking shape, there is no better place for a South African artist to show off their talents.

You’ve worked in film, on stage, on television and radio and even done voice-overs. Is it true that you are the voice of Percy Fitzpatrick in the animated version of Jock of the Bushveld?

Yes I am, and the movie is released in a few weeks. Go and see it, it is a beautiful story and the music and animation is breathtaking.

Tell us one thing that most people wouldn’t know about you …

I’m a Mystery Diner. What’s that, you ask? Well, I’m employed by a company as an undercover restaurant reviewer. I go in to specific restaurants around the country and pose as a customer and enjoy the full experience. Then afterwards I head home to write a report on the service, the food and experience I’ve just had. They then get a mark out of 100 and a complete report sent back to their owners – allowing them to monitor standards. I’m very strict, but then after 15 years of trying to get work as an actor, I certainly spent much of that time as a waiter or barman myself. After all, what is waitering without a bit of performance?

l The History Boys is at the Theatre on the Bay until August 6. To book, call 021 438 3300.