The Culture Vultures Go to Town

It was a perfect day to travel from White River to Johannesburg.

Five of us were off to the theatre in the big city, and there was excitement at our daring in winging our way west for a night of bright lights. Culture Vultures in spirit and intent.

My son, Mark Elderkin, was appearing in Amadeus at Monte Casino’s Teatro, and as he had just been nominated for a Fleur du Cap Award for his role as Bottom (A nice nod for my Bottom) in Midsummer Night’s Dream, we were eager to see him perform.

Iain Garrat bemusedly agreed to drive us four ladies: wife Sue, Mother-in-law Jean, friend Sam and moi. Bags were light – it was only overnight – three of us fitted easily into the back seat of the Land Rover, the aircon was set to comfort, the music began to play, and we were off.

Conversation matched the hiss of tyres as we ascended Schoemann’s Kloof to higher ground. Jean had brought her crochet and occasionally lost her balance around corners. Sam and I were resilient bookends. The Knitwits are a big group in White River, where Carolyn Steyn’s 67 Blankets has a large following. Carolyn is also a backer of Amadeus, so the circle was neatly round.

Much thought and googling went on where we should have supper before the play. Why is it so difficult for a small group of people to make simple decisions? Greek, ooh yes. Italian, uhm, Indian, nah, not good with spices – the choices were varied and many. Eventually, we decided on Italian as that is one cuisine we don’t have in White River. Sue made the booking, made sure they knew we would need good, fast service, and we could relax knowing our tummies would be catered for.

Col’Cacchio here we come!

Soon we were at Alzu Petroport, a popular roadside pitstop where coffee and a lunch snack were eagerly sought. There was a plethora of animals gathered around the water hole, an attraction Alzu is famous for, affirming our roots as African bush lovers and a further lift to our spirits while we waited for our orders. Appetites satisfied we continued up the highway and made it to our fabulous home for the night in Beaulieu by four o’clock.

 Sue had arranged for us to stay at a friend’s house, and Jean, Sam, and I had the guest wing. A king-size bed in one room, a three-quarter in the other. Who was going to share?

“Do you wriggle at night?” asked Sam.

“I have no idea. I may snore,” I answered.

“Wriggling is okay,” she replied, “I’m used to my dogs.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that so took refuge in silence.

A large bed of glorious dahlias proudly displaying their colours beckoned, making a walk and leg stretch an attractive proposition. We brushed through lavender-lined paths, before settling down with much-needed cups of tea, followed by quick showers and dressing up for our night on the town.

When we arrived at the outskirts of Monte Casino, Iain ordered us to look for the sign. We immediately began peering out of windows, searching for familiar landmarks with mutterings of “I sort of remember” and cautious “I think’s” until someone shouted in victory, ‘That one!”. We were at the correct parking garage, confirmed by the attendant at the entrance boom.

We all yelled “There’s one,” as Iain valiantly navigated towards the entrance doors, and found his own parking space.

“Take a photo,” said Sam, “so we can be sure to find it again.’

“Good idea,” said Sue.

No one took a photo.

Such country bumpkins we are, but undaunted, we set off through the doors and asked the guards for directions to the Theatre.

Sam and I were sent ahead to let the restaurant know we were on our way, while Iain, Sue and Jean followed at a more sedate pace. Thrilled at discovering I knew where we were, I took off to the left and saw a familiar figure walking towards us.

“Hey, imagine seeing you here,” I exclaimed, opening my arms wide.

“Hello, Ma, you made it!”

“This is Mark,” I said to Sam who was looking a little bewildered at my exuberant greeting of this lanky stranger. The others caught up and introductions were made before we went our separate ways, Mark to grease up, us to fill up!

The food was delicious, service as prompt as we asked for, so we were seated in good time and able to imbibe the atmosphere that goes with live theatre. The curtain was open, the set looked interesting, Geoff Hyland is a genius and got our interest piqued from the get-go, as did the people settling into their seats around us.

And then it began and for the next two and a half hours we were in a different era, another world. Alan Committie’s performance was riveting. It is hard to hold the attention of an audience for that length of time, but he succeeded. Without bias, Mark was brilliant, and I felt warm pride watching him effortlessly move between the roles of Emperor and member of the ensemble, Aidan Scott was amazing as Mozart.

We’d arranged to meet Mark after the show for a drink – he arrived a little late proudly announcing he had photo-bombed PJ Powers who was in the audience, together with Carolyn Steyn and her guests.

We chatted for an hour when exhaustion dictated we headed for home.

There were a couple of wanderings in the night – Sam and Jean the culprits – sorting out the temperature and checking the loo hadn’t moved while we were away. I stayed put, determined not to wriggle, or snore. Sam said I was fine as a bedmate – yay!

Echoes of boarding school had Sue aghast the next morning as she found the three of us in the large bed having our early morning beverages. She was miffed because she was already dressed and couldn’t join us – we were unrepentant. Oh, what fun!

Soon it was time to get on the road again, thoughts interlacing our chatter, about the play, the trip, would Mark win the Fleur du Cap Award on Sunday, what the week ahead held for each of us. This time we went to the lower section of Alzu – my daughter-in-law keeps telling me it is the better option, and we proved her right – delicious egg and bacon sarmies, Illy coffee, lovely view of the animals, and then the final leg back to the familiar hills and greenery of our Lowveld.

It was a great breakaway, and we all agreed we would do it again.

And the cherry on top – the boy won the award for the Best Supporting Actor for his Bottom!

Yay!