Arts writer
EMOTIONS run high in Lee Roy Brown’s small-town Tote, the setting for Hein Poole and Lee Roodt’s Nommerpas production.
The writing duo combine Poole’s sketch comedy talents with Roodt’s stand-up style, to tell the story of a bookie and his clients as their fortunes rise and fall.
Under the direction of Gaerin Hauptfleisch, Roodt plays Lee Roy Brown, the patriarch of this gambling “family”, while Poole breathes life into his quirky characters, who believe that every cent they gamble will take them one step closer to their dreams.
At its core, Nommerpas is an apt metaphor for the highs and lows of everyday life, reminding audiences to not take things too seriously. Basically that life is a gamble; you win some, you lose some.
That it can be full of pain and joy, but like the characters in Nommerpas, its important that we never lose our capacity for compassion.
Here you can follow Derra the pensioner as he refuses to give up on his dreams, while Gail the hairstylist wants the life of Kim Kardashian. Boeta Chris, the car guard is sick of crime and wants to start his own security company, while Kabouter the street walker wants to be a businessman.
Kensington-born Roodt was trained by The Independent Theatre Movement of SA. Lee’s most recent work includes playing the role of Othello under the direction Esther von Waltsleben, playing Lee Roy Brown in the Lee & Hein Show and Edgar in Fietna Lekke Jy.
Boland entertainer Poole has spent 10 years working with theatre groups, also a lot of time touring to schools across the country. With a string of theatre credits, under the direction of various South African theatre heavyweights to his name, Poole has also appeared in many short films.
Bloemfontein-born Hauptfleisch holds a Masters degree in drama from Stellenbosch University. He has already written more than 25 works. He’s been responsible for the direction of more than 50 plays, working with the likes of Nina Swart, Neels van Jaarsveld and Leon Kruger.
Nommerpas will be staged at the Artscape Arena tomorrow and Friday at 7.30pm and at 4.30pm on Saturday.
l Tickets: R70. Book: Artscape Dial-a-Seat, 021 421 7695, or Computicket, 0861 915 8000.