ONE of the big winners at the 50th annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards earlier this year was Louis Viljoen, who walked away with the Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for new directors, and Best New South African Script, for his political drama The Kingmakers. His explicit psycho-drama The Pervert Laura, also nominated for its script, won Emily Child the award for lead actress in a play.
"I was so proud," says Child. "Louis’s work deserves to be celebrated and recognised. I don’t believe awards define a career or a person, but they look damn good on a poster and it feels great to know that hard work can, in some way (even if it’s not the way you expected), pay some bills. Thank you Distell (the award sponsors) for that."
...
CHILD graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2007 with a BA in theatre and performance, specialising in acting. She has worked independently and as a member of acclaimed theatre troupe The Mechanicals. The Pervert Laura is her most memorable role so far, and a highlight of her career.
"I couldn’t put the script down," she says. "I was riveted. The plot twists and turns. I love the surprises that the suspension of disbelief allows us. The characters are written with enormous depth and specificity. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be playing Laura."
The Pervert Laura follows a 30-year-old woman through a week in her life. Through conversations with her therapist, an attempt at an affair in a seedy hotel room and arguments with her family, it becomes clear that she’s on the road to absolute self-annihilation.
"People engage with Louis’s writing," says Child. "It is visceral and challenges people to think and feel out of and around their comfort zones. Everyone who has seen it has had a strong opinion about it — positive and negative. It evokes thought and discussion; audiences are stimulated by that. In our previous run, quite a few people came to watch it more than once. It was like we were their dirty little secret. I think people enjoy the thrill of that."
Child believes that actors should never relate to their characters because that would invite judgment. And as soon as actors judge the characters they play, they lose the urgency that should exist on stage. Whatever characters say and do is right, because what they want is what they want.
"I think we only stand a chance of making a character seem real if we portray them without judging their actions and infuse the audience with the belief that action is imperative," she says. "It is the audience’s luxury to judge the characters we play."
...
INDEED, some have judged the play for its strong language, nudity and sexual content. But the scenes don’t seem explicit to Child anymore. That’s because they have become a natural part of Laura’s story.
"I worry more about performing them honestly than about performing them in the first place," she says. "Although there are moments that seem shocking to the audience, they are not shocking for me. That being said, the first rehearsal of a sex scene is always a little awkward. I did blush for a day or two."
It helps that Child feels comfortable and well looked after by the people with whom she shares the stage. More than that, she considers herself lucky to have worked with many of them before.
"Before we open The Pervert Laura every night, we have a good old group hug and chat (generally about something a little rude or funny) and we wish each other a great show," she says. "I love that moment."
Child says "these crazy folk" have taught her so many things, the most important being that one should never take oneself too seriously. Yes, their aim is to always put work first, which is why they call each other out if ego ever gets in the way. But they also have fun.
"We encourage each other to work hard and we push each other to learn and be better," she says. "Every project we work on together is different and each time our approach changes, so every time we collaborate is exciting.
"I believe that they are world-class theatre-makers and I feel privileged to work with them as often as I do."
Child would love to travel with The Pervert Laura, perhaps back to the Edinburgh Festival. "I am so proud to be a part of a 100% home-grown production," she says. "I would love for an original local work, like The Pervert Laura, to represent our country on stages around the world."
• The Pervert Laura is at Cape Town’s Fugard Theatre from May 6 to May 23.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.