GROET DIE GROTMAN Opens at Boksburg Barnyard Theatre Tonight

Let the Caveman inside you free! Come eat pizza, drink red wine or even something stronger! And enjoy the antics of Hannes Muller's Caveman in GROET DIE GROTMAN when he comes to visit the Boksburg Barnyard Theatre at the East Rand Mall for four Sunday evenings, beginning tonight, and running through 4 August.

Rob Becker's landmark comedy, DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN, translated into Afrikaans as GROET DIE GROTMAN, holds a record for Afrikaans theatre, having played more than 900 sold out shows! Koos Kombuis translated and adapted the play into Afrikaans, Sandra Prinsloo handled the directing and Hannes Muller plays the role of the Grotman.

GROET DIE GROTMAN is a comic exploration of the differences between men and women and how those differences cause us to be totally misunderstood by one another. "GROTMAN succeeds in hitting a deep-seated universal nerve - the differences between men and women - and it is great that this has been portrayed in a comic manner," says director, Sandra Prinsloo. "The success of GROTMAN can definitely be attributed to that. A wonderful text by Rob Becker and an equally wonderful translation and adaptation by Koos Kombuis and Hannes Muller's brilliant performance as the Grotman are all absolutely reasons why GREETING THE GROTMAN is so popular."

This one-man show has played in venues across the country over the past four years. "It's great that DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN is being performed in Afrikaans in South Africa," says writer Rob Becker. "It always makes such a big difference if you can experience theatre in your own home language." And how does Becker explain the huge success of DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN? "Healing definitely occurs when a couple sits laughing in a dark theatre with hundreds of others and realise they are not alone. And trust me when couples walk to the car after the show, there is already serious... you know what... going on. And is that not worth cost of the theater ticket?"

Producer Frans Swart says that back when he obtained the rights for GROET DIE GROTMAN from Becker, he realized that this was going to be a very successful production. "But little did we realize that it was going to be such an amazing runaway success story. From a creative point of view, the team - Sandra, Hannes and Koos - are the best! We tour with the production to the smallest and largest towns and cities in the country and it is very important for us to take theatre, in this case comedy, to the people. And it makes people talk. Each performance so far has been completely sold out and it's definitely a record for South African theater. And still people stream into the theatre, and what's wonderful is that people return two or three times - each time with new pals. GROTMAN has certainly become a legend in South Africa! "

Hannes Muller says: "After 900 performances I still get excited before every show to tell the Grotman's story to the people. And that's important. GROET DIE GROTMAN gives people a way to understand themselves and their spouses while they have a good laugh. We have given our own interpretation to the piece, placed it in the South African context, yet the essence of Becker's original piece remains. I have fun on stage with the show and believe those who have not seen it will have just as much fun. See you there!"

The show will play the Barnyard Theatre on 14, 21, 28 July and 4 August 2013. Shows start at 18:30. Reservations can be made by calling the Barnyard Theatre (011) 823 6933 or by booking online. Groups of more than 10 can get a nice discount by calling Lefra Productions directly on (011) 815 3000. Visit the show's official website here.

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