The inimitable Marah Louw is back on our screens. This time, she’s channelling her naughty side, writes Debashine Thangevelo
JAWS dropped when Marah Louw was spotted at e.tv’s press winter preview not too long ago. For those in the industry, it was a delight to play catch-up with the actress and musician. To the media present, it sparked curiosity, which was quelled by the news that she was starring in a comedy on the channel.
So Tonight dropped by the set of B&B in Melville to chat to Louw. Looking immaculate, the 64-year-old was all jokes and smiles.
Professionally, she has ridden the crest of success numerous times, be it on the music or acting side. Personally, she has been dealt her fair share of blows, from her divorce to the countless controversies – especially during her time on Idols SA.
“Oh boy, don’t go there,” she jokes.
But the one thing that’s unmistakable and certainly admirable is her fortitude as a woman.
In case, you are wondering about the “h” in her name – she was always Marah. But in her formative years in the industry, her agent advised her to drop it.
In this sort of rebirth in recent years, she decided to remedy that; especially with the powerful biblical reference of her name about the bitter waters of Marah being sweetened. In fact, her birth sweetened the conflicted relationships between families – hence her name.
Back to what’s been keeping Louw busy.
She says: “I have done a couple of little things. But because it was on DStv and some people don’t have it – they didn’t see it. I did a made-for-TV movie with Shona Ferguson, The Gift. It was on Mzansi Magic. Then I did Like Father Like Son, which also did well.”
On the characters she played, Louw offers: “I’m always playing somebody’s mother. I need to find a role where I can play something different. Maybe a cougar with that Desperate Housewives feel. But they must find me a Denzel Washington, though (laughs). I won’t settle for less. I don’t mean to undermine our local actors. They are gorgeous. But Hlomla Dandala is too young for me.”
Talking about her sabbatical, she shares: “Yes, I went on one. After my divorce, life was spinning out of control. There were a lot of things happening. Then there was the Idols incident, which I would like to never talk about anymore. I have apologised and have never been in that situation before. But with my marriage breaking down after 19 years… Then it was the production I was in for 10 years – Muvhango. Suddenly, I was told: ‘Sorry, we can’t afford to pay you anymore so we’re going to put you on a call rate’. And me saying: ‘Well, it’s not going to work like that’. All those things started to happen at the same time. And you are left wondering, ‘who turned the world upside down?’ I’m a strong woman. I came out of it.”
And her high spirits are manifested in all she does. In fact, she is busy with her autobiography.
She points out: “I wasn’t just sitting around. I’m busy with my book. There’s just so much stuff, which starts from my early childhood when I was 6. It chronicles my entire career in a no-holds-barred way. I’ve done a lot of stuff. There’s some pain in there, too. At one point, we (she and her author) had to stop for a month or two. There were some painful situations. Right now, I have taken a break as I didn’t want to confuse the emotions. But it has been a cathartic experience.”
Aside from her “totally crazy (not to mention chain-smoking) character” on SABC1’s award-winning drama, Tempy Pushas, Louw is having a blast on the set of B&B.
Recalling how she was cast as Ma Mgcina, she reveals: “They asked me to come through for a screen test. Although, I have to say, I don’t mind auditioning.
“People think if you have been in the industry for 45 years, you don’t have to audition. But sometimes the role could probably not suit you. They need to see if it does. But I’m sure when they asked me, they suspected that the character suited me.
“It’s a funny role. It’s my best actually – of my more recent roles. I’m not undermining anything I have done. But I have always played the motherly roles and there is always so much grief and crying. Just trane all the time. Here it is about laughter. I’m very naughty in this. I say things that are off-the-cuff and it gets the camera guys laughing.
“Ma Mgcina is the mother of Duma Beseni (Simphiwe Hlabangane). He won the lotto and has bought this B&B. I’m a meddlesome mother who takes care of the kitchen. And I’m very stubborn. I only cook mogudu (tripe) and fat cakes (aka vetkoek) – whether the guests like it or not. And I control my son. I also don’t approve of his wife. She’s like our well known gold-digger in South Africa. But I’m not going to mention the person’s name.”
B&B is a 26-part series, anchored in situational comedy and offers relatable themes.
Drawn to stories that are believable and authentic, Louw says she enjoys drama and comedy: “I can express myself in drama. In comedy, I’m really naughty. The director had to keep reminding me that this is family viewing.”
Of course, all that misbehaviour on set is of the tasteful kind.
While she is wading through a few offers, Louw, having learnt from jumping the gun in the past, preferred to hold off on making any announcements. But she did confirm that a new album is on the cards.
As the cliché goes: what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. And Louw, wiser and even more radiant (with no wrinkle in sight on that flawless skin of hers), is in a good space, personally and professionally. Now that deserves much respect. And that is also what makes Louw a legend of our time!
• B&B, eKasi+ (Open View HD channel 105) on June 29 at 8.30pm and on e.tv on July 4 at 6.30pm.