FIELA'S BOYS
By Daniel Dercksen

Dalene Matthee would have been please with the two young actors who brings her Benjamin to life in the charming stage adaptation of Fiela se Kind, that is currently on at Artscape before touring to Gauteng and festivals nationwide.

Representing two generations of South Africa's new acting talent, 15 year-old Stefan Vermaak makes a shining debut, with Erik Holm advancing a promising career that follows his drama studies in 2005 and a role in the television soapie 7de Laan.

Although they may physically appear to be two sides of the same coin, there are coincidental similarities that strengthen their collaboration on stage.

The actors were cast independently and had no knowledge of each other, but when reading the biographies in the programme Erik and Stefan discovered how similar their backgrounds are: they are both the youngest of four children, they are the only boy in their family, their fathers are professors, and their mothers teach.  Both actors also found their calling as actors purely by accident, landing in high school productions and then lured to professional theatre.

"We have similar quirks," says Erik. "At first I though Stefan might have picked it up during rehearsals and therefore he does it in the play, but it turns out that we have the same mannerisms. That was bizarre."

One of these mannerisms is the way in which both actors thoughtfully scratch their chin during introspective moments on stage. 

If there is one aspect that connects both actors to Fiela se Kind, it is the issue of identity.

"The reason for the success of the play is that it deals with that issue specifically," says Erik. "Every person tries to find himself in some way.  Without a very clear parameter of where you are and who you are, it is difficult to lead a meaningful life in terms of your own expressions. You are then dependent on input from others, and not only dependent but completely isolated without external input, so you need to know who you are, what you want to become, and where you want to go.

"Everyone is unique so it's important to know what your limits are," says Stefan.

"It is specifically in South Africa that people can relate to very strongly, being able to identify yourself within your structure," says Erik.

In Fiela se Kind it is difficult for outsiders to accept a white child being raised by a Coloured family. 

Erik feels that the reason for the inherit fear they have for Benjamin is that they "find it difficult to relate to him."

"He has a very strong presence and personality without knowing who he is, and still manages to establish himself as a human being, and someone with interest," says Erik.

"People find this weird because he can't clearly define himself and this makes him a character that has ruffled edges, so you are never quite sure exactly where he comes from and what his motivations are necessarily."

In Fiela Se Kind the young boy lives in the shadow of being Benjamin Komoetie, a white boy raised by a Coloured woman, and Lukas Van Rooyen, the lost child of a White family.

Erik finds that he can relate to Benjamin and Lukas.

"I'm quite sure everyone has a variety of personality distinctions; one that lies in within a very specific upbringing stage, and then one that you define yourself, and at some stage you have to decide which one you are going to go with," says Erik. "The benefit of theatre in this case allows you the ability to explore both sides," says Erik. "Within the relatively safe constraints of the script you are allowed to be both, and discover that journey for yourself."

For Stefan there is no choice and he clearly identifies with being Benjamin.

"I like Benjamin more because he is part of a happy family, a free family with love," says Stefan. "Lukas' family is hard and they abuse their children."

"The Komoetie family in general represents a very earthy and honest approach to life," says Erik. "It's not that they don't know hardship, but they have a different way of dealing with it. The Van Rooyen family represent the same needs and desires, but never do anything about it. The Komoeties engage with life and succeed."

How do they feel about playing the same character?

"I think we have a little 'click' going between the two of us," laughs Erik. "You are so tied to each other that you respond to each other on and off stage as extensions of yourself. It's odd. We call us 'me', as opposed to separate characters."

Both actors also have an affinity for the character of Fiela.

Stefan believes that "it takes a strong woman to take a child that is left at her doorstep and raise him as one of her own", and to "remain faithful and have so much love for a child, not knowing where he comes from."

"She is the Earth Mother," says Erik. "She is determined to defend her own to a point of being illogical. There are few people who would not want to be loved that way and therefore associate with her and feel very strongly because of her honest motivations that turn into slight fantasies at times."

Talking about theatre, and what excites them about theatre, Erik jokingly admits that he is
"a narcissist."

"Theatre is very energetic environment to be in and you get direct feedback from your audience," he says.

The audience is also a contributing factor for Stefan, "the response from the audience is amazing," he says.  "You are connected to the emotion of the audience. What you are doing is live and you can't cut it and do it over."

"It's an inspiring place," says Erik. "It's a long-term engagement with people of quality."

Fiela se Kind is also luring younger audiences, who are more likely to visit the cinema and watch television, to experience the thrill of live theatre.

"We have become so use to receiving instant gratification and if you do not like what you are watching you can change channels at any time," says Erik.

"In theatre the experience is very different, the engagement is so intense and so in the here and now, and you know that it is not going to moment will not be repeated. People, especially young people, have a need for that, to know that they belong to a moment that will remain with them forever."

Drama State Theatre in Pretoria; Opens 22 May until 10 June; Tuesdays - Saturdays at 19.30/ Sundays at 14.30; Bookings at Computicket; Groups at discounts: 011 815 4395; Website: www.lefra.co.za

Copyright © 2007 Daniel Dercksen
Published with permission in the Weekend Argus, March 25, 2007

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