South African theatre icon Andrew Buckland, promises to take audiences on a nostalgic journey with the revival of his acclaimed one-man show, The Ugly Noo Noo, at The Baxter.
The production returns after 35 years, promising laughter and relevance in 2024.
Originally performed in 1988, The Ugly Noo Noo, a comedic masterpiece with a political punch, garnered praise for its comic physical performance and exceptional political commentary.
Buckland, known for his captivating performances, reprises his role in this unmissable show that received 17 national and international awards for its script, direction, and performance.
Directed by Buckland's wife Janet, it has been acclaimed as high-paced, energetic, and hugely entertaining by critics.
With themes that remain relevant today, including the manipulation of fear and exploitation, The Ugly Noo Noo, blends comedy with social commentary to create a unique theatrical experience.
With fascism on the rise, the play's exploration of power dynamics and control takes on added resonance. Despite its vintage, The Ugly Noo Noo continues to captivate audiences with its absurdity and clever humour.
Buckland explained his decision to revive the show, and emphasised the significance of its message in the current global climate.
“The idea of performing The Ugly Noo Noo in 2024 at the age of 70 was born from the time spent working to create an annotated text of the work as part of a book and website,” Buckland said.
“It struck me that it is still quite funny, and with the rampant unapologetic surge of fascism in the world today, it becomes even more relevant than it seemed to be in 1988 when it was first presented, specifically to South Africa.
“The journey to reviving it has been challenging and thoroughly enjoyable but it has been a difficult test during the creative process of putting the work together.
“The process had to make me laugh, and more importantly, Janet, the director, my wife, laugh.”
He said the aim in bringing the production back to the South African stage was also to spark some joy in the audience.
“The whole process has been fun, and I can't wait to share it again with the audience. My goal is to bring the text to a new generation of players and teachers,” Buckland said.
Don't miss the opportunity to witness this legendary actor bring his award-winning show back to life at The Baxter from July 23 to August 10.