Interview - ACTRESS; Anushka Life

Anushka Life

On acting, TEACHING & one woman shows

In interview with J. J Brits

HER DEBUT ROLE as an actress was at the age of fifteen when she played a clerk in an Afrikaans play titled Die Koffer; a purposefully absurd comedy about two couples looking for their suitcases at a post office, written by the late Andre P. Brink. However, the turning point to the arts came years later when she was cast as ‘Kelly’ in Fanie Viljoen’ Brein Bliksem; a cult hit Afrikaans play under the direction of Hennie van Greunen. She was seventeen at the time, taking part in all twenty seven performances of the production. Although there were no lack in passion, it was during this time that Anushka experienced what the life of an actress was like. She instantly felt that she belonged.

  During her final year at High School she not only focused solely on academics. With the help of Danica van der Walt & Fanie Fourie they founded the OMTV (Onafhanglike Matriek Toneel Vereniging) to produce a production titled, Diensmeisies. This play was written by Jean Genet and translated by Wim Vorster. They successfully raised funds to take the production to festivals and local theaters in the Western Cape – not an easy feat for a scholar. Yet, their efforts bloomed.

  Anushka also did voice work for a radio drama during that time.

  “Jesus Titus was the first and only radio drama I’ve done,” Anushka says. “It was very exciting to be chosen for a role. The script, written by Frans Fourie, won second place in the 11^th RSG/Sanlam drama competition for 2007. I had a very small part where I voiced five lines, but loved the story. It was challenging and I got a chance to work alongside big names in the industry. This was also the second time I worked professionally with Vilje Maritz.”

  Interesting enough, Anushka and Vilje were neighbors while growing up in their home town, Melkbosstrand. They attended the same primary and high school, and many parties – which she doesn’t want to comment on.

  Between 2007 and 2008 Anushka attended the Waterfront Theater College as part time student. Her extra curricular efforts pulled off and resulted in her winning the London Trinity College award for drama student of the year in 2007.

  In 2010 Anushka decided to study drama at Stellenbosch University. She specialized in Interactive Theater and Media. It was during this time that is she cultivated a love for community theater. She graduated in 2012 at Stellenbosch University and received her drama degree.

  The year after she played the role as waitress in her home town at Die Damhuis Beach Restaurant, contemplated everything and recovering from a hectic student life. But it wasn’t long before she returned to the arts.

  In 2014 she joined the Hooked on Books production company where she teamed up with two other actors. They didn’t waste any time, rehearsing a educational theater production to be taken on the road. For two months they performed the production at numerous primary schools.

  “Arepp: Thearte for Life came next,” Anushka explains. “It’s a non profit children' theater organisation addressing many social issues such as mainly hygiene, sexuality & domestic violence. It was a lot of fun doing theater by means of puppetry, which I haven’t before done. We took the production across country, focusing especially on primary schools in the Northern Cape. Then I went to Thailand.” 

  Teaching chose her, Anushka explains.

  ”I didn’t even think about it. But off I went, discovering a new culture in a foreign country. I felt alive and loved every minute of it. I worked at a primary school in Chern Talay where I was a grade seven teacher. There where thirty five children in my class. At times things were lost in translation, it’s quite natural, but it was worth the experience. I was sad to leave the kids.”

  When her work Visa expired she returned to South Africa in the spring of 2014, adapting again to the culture of her own diverse country.

  During that December  she was approached by a local writer and a producer to co-work on a new project to be brought to the stage early the next year. Small Room Studio Productions had conceptualized an Afrikaans play titled VEERTIG – ‘n DRAMADIE. Anushka jumped for the opportunity.

  “I had faith in the project, although Jacques wanted me to play six characters,” Anushka says. “It scared me at first. It was a seventy minute play revolving around main character Lorette, an extremely fragile woman who was to turn forty on the day. The script was something different from the beginning and the experience another first. I’ve always shared the stage. Suddenly I’m the only person on it. No doubt that the story had a lot of potential. As I became familiar with the plot I could suddenly see myself bringing the characters to life. Maybe it’s because I wanted to get under their skin. I saw a little bit of my self in all of them. It’s what he does, Jacques; he turns fiction into reality and never fails to surprise with his perfectly timed twists. Kick starting the production in my home town was an extra bonus. We had a lot of fun.”

  Three successful runs later in March 2015 and the production is still in its beginning stages.“I’d like to be part of ‘VEERTIG’ all the way,” she adds. “We are looking at taking it to more theaters and maybe even a festival or two. Watch this space…hier kom ‘n ding!”

  In the meanwhile Anushka is teaching at Boston Private School, Bellville. But she’s not done acting by a long shot.

  To see her in the new one woman show, follow Small Room Studio Productions’ Facebook page for more details. To host the ‘VEERTIG’ production at your venue, contact jakkals@smallroom.co.za.