TO get an audience to constantly book out a stage show is rare these days, in a time when getting bums on seats in a theatre can often be like drawing water from a rock.
But Krijay Govender and Leeanda Reddy’s Buckled manages to do that time and again. They have been staging the comedy sketch offering for four years now, with packed-out houses each time.
The hilarious comedy, directed by Govender and starring award-winning actors Reddy (principal actress Priya in Isidingo) and Meren Reddy (Safta award-winning City Sesla actor – which he also produces), focuses on marriage, as seen up-close through a young couple’s experiences in preparation for their wedding.
Yash and Shelen first meet at primary school and are destined… or is it doomed, to be together. The audience follows their rocky but hilarious journey to eternal bliss with a host of fabulously funny characters, all played by the two talented actors.
“They say that, in the Indian community in particular, when you marry a person… you marry their entire family and their baggage,” Govender said, explaining the kind of aspects the show deals with.
“It is a really nice combination of sketch comedy and still has a story to it, it is still a play. It is an ageless story of love and marriage and it is one that everyone can relate to, not just Indians.”
Govender explained that the play is also a chance to see “two very fine actors on stage”.
“Meren is very interesting because he is very good at physical comedy,” said Govender.
“He is also one of the few actors who leaves his ego at the door.”
• Buckled stages at The Playhouse Opera from February 22 to 24. Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are R125 to R150 at Computicket. No under-16s.