Going behind the scenes at rehearsals of Paul Slabolepszy’s new play
A Q&A with the cast & creative team of
Bitter Winter
Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre at Montecasino
20 February – 16 March 2025
Rehearsals are underway for Bitter Winter – the highly anticipated new play penned by acclaimed South African playwright Paul Slabolepszy, which premieres at Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre at Montecasino from February 20th – March 16th, 2025.
Director Lesedi Job and cast members Andre Odendaal (playing Jean-Louis Lourens), Oarabile Ditsele (playing Prosper Mangane) and Chantal Stanfield (playing Felicia Willemse) are delving deep into the roles, finding all the nuances and back-stories of this character-driven piece that speaks to the human condition and tells the tale of a story of resilience and discovery.
Bitter Winter offers a heartfelt exploration of the artist’s life. It celebrates the legends of South African theatre while shining a light on the new generation of rising stars making their mark on the global stage. This tender tale takes audiences along the winding, sometimes rocky road that many artists feel compelled to travel in pursuit of their dreams.
While the characters sit in an audition room, audiences are taken through the struggles and triumphs of actors who remain deeply committed to their craft despite the challenges they face. It tells the story of two actors, one at the end of a career spent mainly on the classical stage, and another starting out on his journey, the magic and the madness of this ‘make-believe’ world is on full display.
The creative team and cast took time out of rehearsals for a Q&A to give us some behind-the-scenes insight into Bitter Winter.
Producer – Weslee Lauder
Q: How did it come about that you became producer of Bitter Winter?
A: Andre asked me to read the play as he was honoured that Paul wrote the role with him in mind and I read it, I was hooked. The idea of a play with such an important story, especially since SA actors have been bearing the brunt of an industry not taken care of by its governing parties spoke to me. I believed and still do, that people need to see it through the eyes of someone else so, Andre and I spoke logistics, I mentioned to him that I wanted to start producing and saw the opportunity, fast forward to now – I’m producing it. 🙂
Q: What kind of time frame has it been, from first hearing about the play to now being in rehearsals, about to open it in Joburg?
A: We’ve been toying with the idea and planning since early 2023 so, it’s been a long time coming.
Q: What do you see as the most important themes to get across to the audiences?
A: The concept of youth honouring the elderly speaks to a powerful truth: the young often forget that the paths they walk were paved by the generations before them. In a world that so easily overlooks the elderly, it is vital to remember the legacy, wisdom, and sacrifices they’ve left behind—and to show gratitude in every aspect of life.
Q: Please expand on how the play will be benefiting the Theatre Benevolent Fund?
A: The TBF is such an important fund that assists elderly theatre professionals with an array of things, from financial assistance to health, food etc. Contributing to them financially is important as it takes the pressures off them from having to look under every rock to try to find funding.
Bitter Winter is donating a portion of ticket sales to TBF and every cent counts.
Playwright – Paul Slabolepszy
Q: How did the play come about?
A: Lizz Meiring was giving a talk at The Baxter Theatre a number of years ago, about all the vital work that the Theatre Benevolent Fund does and it was discussed about the plight of aging artists in South Africa as they reach the end of their careers.
I was asked after that talk, whether I would write a play about it and I jumped right in. Then Covid hit, but I kept working on it. I wrote the piece with Andre Odendaal in mind, who then brought Weslee Lauder in to produce. And here we are!
Q: How were the actors chosen for the show – did you write with any of them in mind, or was it by general audition?
A: Having Andre in Dop I thought he would be ideal for Jean-Louis. The other 2 artists went through the audition process.
Q: How important is collaboration to get a new work onstage, for you?
A: I’ve always collaborated, right back to Bill Flynn days and it’s so important, now more than ever. In many instances, it’s the only way to get a show on stage, especially a new play.
Q: Do you feel that SA society needs storytelling with strong values, ideals etc right now, given the current state of the world?
A: Absolutely, for me I love writing comedy but at the same time, it’s important to deal with the issues, but to talk about them in such a way for the audience to be receptive to it.
It’s so important that people keep writing authentic stories.
Director – Lesedi Job
Q: What was it that drew you to this play?
A: Initially what drew me to the play was the story of an actor’s journey in the South African Arts industry that reminded me of my own complex love affair with theatre as an artist. But as I started working on the play, I became aware of how this is a story that inspires self-reflection and I love telling stories that leave an audience thinking even after they have seen the play.
Q: Do you have a preference in telling original South African stories, or big international block-busters? And why?
A: Gosh, I would love to take on an international blockbuster but I do think there’s a preference to telling original South African stories. I am a South African and I am passionate about being part of a next generation of storytellers within South Africa that contribute to the history of South African Theatre. Bitter Winter is the fifth new South African play I am directing and I think this is not only the case out of choice but also because it is my purpose.
Q: Which themes of Bitter Winter resonate most with you?
A: I think the themes that resonate with me the most are that of an older generation versus the younger generation. I am reminded of my mother and her wisdom and the quiet knowledge that comes with age and experience. The other themes are that of the complexity of our identity as a Nation that is informed by our history, our languages, our traditions and culture as well as our scars. And that of humanity.
Maya Angelou says: “During bad circumstances, which is the human inheritance, you must decide not to be reduced. You have your humanity, and you must not allow anything to reduce that.”
Q: Take us through your director process as you work on a new work?
A: The process of directing new work requires the straddling of preparation and spontaneity. A collaborative process as well where the creative team bring their voices to create the world of the story. I spend a lot of time before the rehearsal process preparing, researching, interrogating and unpacking the script to get a handle on the story, the world and the characters.
Once in the rehearsal room, I “download” information to the actors and plant seeds for them to think about; allowing an actor to bring themselves and their choices to the creative process. The process requires planning and thinking on your feet, humility and grace as the director knows that at times you might not know what to do and to not get stuck on an idea you may have had beforehand. It’s a step-by-step process of creating, rehearsing, thinking and tweaking the play up until the play feels as close to the “truth” as possible.
I also incorporate a lot of prayer as all my processes as a director are in co-creation with my creator.
Andre Odendaal (plays Jean-Louis Lourens)
Q: What attracted you to being part of Bitter Winter?
A: Paul approached me over 2 years ago telling me about Bitter Winter and asked me to play the part ..a great honour ..apart from being a play by Paul I have always been game for new South African work. These opportunities are rare and always special.
An authentic voice and a remarkable challenge
Q: Have any of you worked on a Paul Slab play before?
A: I directed The Return of Elvis du Pisanie with Lionel Newton for the Market Theatre a few years ago
Q: How have you prepared for your character?
A: Preparation for any character always starts by finding relatable qualities first… do I understand the character’s emotional world, what are the points of connection either to my own life or a life I have observed? Then one finds a physical and vocal quality.
In this instance, it is an older actor’s so that commonality was easy to find albeit a very different mind space to my own
Q: How important is it to you to be part of a brand-new play, creating characters from scratch?
A: I feel that pioneering any new work is always special. Especially if the work is SAYING something that could shift people’s perception on a specific subject.
Q: What are you wanting the audiences to take away from this show?
A: Let us hope that the audience takes home not only a better understanding of the plight of an artist, the commitment but also a joy of watching live theatre. A realisation that art feeds the soul.
Oarabile Ditsele (plays Prosper Mangane)
Q: What attracted you to being part of Bitter Winter?
A: What attracted me to Bitter Winter was really another opportunity to work with Lesedi Job, she is an amazing director.
I feel the play offers a chance to collaborate with people who have shaped the theatrical landscape of South African theatre, people like Andre and of course Paul Slab, I had the opportunity to get acquainted with his work during first year university through the play Mooi Street Moves and now 10+ years later I get to work on his new play.
Q: Have any of you worked on a Paul Slab play before?
A: I have never worked with Paul; this was actually the first time I met him. But I am aware of his contribution to South African theatre.
Q: How have you prepared for your character?
A: How I am preparing to play Prosper Mangane is by being open minded and realising that I am portraying a character that holds the lived experience of many young black men, those in his position and those aspiring to be where he is. I want my process to be as authentic as possible
Q: How important is it to you to be part of a brand-new play, creating characters from scratch?
A: It’s so important to be part of a new play and build a character from scratch because we are leaving a footnote in the history books, a reference for those who will perform this play 50 years from now.
Q: What are you wanting the audiences to take away from this show?
A: I really don’t have an answer for this, I feel the audience will take whatever they want for the play. I am here to tell a story, the best that I can. To use the famous saying “to turn the mirror to society” and if an audience member sees themselves or an encounter they once had, great, if not, at least they have something to talk about on their way home.
Chantal Stanfield (plays Felicia Willemse)
Q: What attracted you to being part of Bitter Winter?
A: I said yes for the whole team and all the ‘names’ involved! I knew that, if I turned down this opportunity, I would absolutely regret not taking the chance.
Q: Have any of you worked on a Paul Slab play before?
A: This is my first time working on a Paul Slab piece professionally, we did some curriculum scene work of his at drama school, but to actually work with him 20 years after I graduated is such a gift.
Q: How have you prepared for your character?
A: I spent a few days with a casting director in Joburg – sitting in on castings and callbacks, meeting the director and client etc. All the behind-the-scenes things to colour my character’s day to day backstory. I also trawled the internet, YouTube, Instagram etc looking at international casting directors too.
Q: How important is it to you to be part of a brand-new play, creating characters from scratch?
A: I love originating a new piece, it’s a fresh and daunting challenge with no ‘original cast recording’ to fall back on!
Q: What are you wanting the audiences to take away from this show?
A: I hope audiences, especially non-performers, leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of why we performers do what we do. We don’t just decide to do this, it is a mad calling that is so fulfilling that we endure the scorn, the rejection, and dismissive attitudes every day.
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Bitter Winter will be on stage at Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre at Montecasino from February 20th – March 16th, 2025.
Performances are Wednesdays – Fridays at 19h30, Saturdays at 15h00 & 19h30, Sundays at 15h00.
Tickets range from R150 – R220 and bookings are via Webtickets and selected Pick ‘n Pay stores.
For groups, contact Geraldine at 011 511 1988 or email geraldine@montetheatre.co.za
The show is approx. 80 minutes with no interval and has a suggested Age Restriction of PG10.
Patrons are advised that the language mix in the show will be approx. 75% English, 25% Afrikaans.
Bitter Winter is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the power of storytelling and the magic of live theatre. This production pays homage to the resilience, dedication, and passion of South African artists who continue to inspire and entertain.
SHOW CREDITS
Producer: Weslee Lauder
Director: Lesley Job
Writer: Paul Slabolepszy
Lighting Designer: Oliver Hauser
Sound Designer: Sne Dladla
Set & Costume Designer: Frankie van Straten
Stage Manager: Yvette Hanekom
Publicist: Collett Dawson
Bitter Winter couldn’t have been staged without the support of Arora Online, Netgen, Fingers Crossed Coffee, HD Creative Network and The CoLab Network.
A poignant tribute to South African theatre and its artists