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SATIRIST: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Pieter Dirk Uys, dressed up as a priest, at the community aids function in Houghton. Photo: Michael Pinyana

 We had a number of sponsors that were showing interest but their sudden lack of interest started to show once The Spear thing started 

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Rehearsals for the show, titled The Merry Wives of Zuma, had to be cut by two weeks because potential sponsors suddenly developed cold feet - allegedly fearing political pressure and intimidation, director Uys said yesterday.

Drama For Life, a Wits University programme, intervened and sponsored the venue, including paying the 17-member cast.

Instead of the scheduled three-week rehearsal, the cast was only given a week to prepare for the premiere, which was held in a packed Wits University Theatre last Sunday.

The satirist said the play was supposed to run from the end November to coincide with the Mangaung ANC Conference, but it has since been shelved due to financial uncertainties.

"We had a number of sponsors that were showing interest but their sudden lack of interest started to show once The Spear thing started," he said.

"Suddenly I was getting excuses like recession. But I was eventually told that the real reason is that they did not want to be part of something that will embarrass the president."

The Spear, a painting showing Zuma with his private parts hanging out, caused a stir a few months ago and raised questions about freedom of speech.

"I didn't have a budget to pay for the venue and for actors' salaries. Actors had to bring their own props and costumes," Uys said.

The play is set in a town called Zuma, the mayor of which, Mr Gedley, is expected to be re-elected for a fourth term. But his roving eyes and his desire to add two more wives to his herd of three, puts a spanner in the works of his campaign, which is marred by corrupt dealings and municipal dramas involving his sidekick, Juju. The play features characters such as comrade Blunt and unionist Vuva.

"We have a Constitution that protects us and I will do whatever it takes,'' Uys said.

- sifilel@sowetan.co.za

Comments

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Thu Jun 20 06:26:46 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 10, 2012

RobinH

Satire is satire and in order to be relevant MUST push people's buttons. I am surprised at these cowardly sponsors. PD Uys has always been politically contentious and they surely know that. And with respect, our beloved macho-warrior provides satirists with endless material because he is just such a buffoon in absolutely everything he attempts. Par for the course. A political leader MUST be able to deal with satire. He or she is a public figure and is thus subject to public ridicule when he or she behaves in a ridiculous fashion, which our spearman does with monotonous regularity. Similarly anyone who sponsors a politicasl satirist, they should accept what they are buying. This whole issue is pathetic.
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Oct 10, 2012

Diva7

Those Jacob's administration is running scared as always, i would have loved to see this play1
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Oct 11, 2012

Mrazane

Mr Uys why not have a chat with Nandos, they go where angels fear to tread, and I am sure they will throw in a hot ad in support of the play.
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